RALEIGH, N.C. -- A third quarter rally would not erase a 20-point first half deficit as the Meredith College basketball Angels dropped Tuesday night's USA South game to cross-town rival William Peace. Amy Rhoney recorded her fourth career double-double with 19 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Rhoney gave Meredith an early two-point lead, but a 15-0 William Peace run left the Avenging Angels trailing by double-digits at the end of the first quarter.

The draught continued into the first two minutes of the second frame before Jessi Hayes found Rhoney inside for a layup. But the Angels struggled to keep pace with WPU until Chandler Hines sparked an offensive push on a three-point jumper with 3:37 remaining in the half.

After the break Meredith returned to the hardwood with a balanced offense jump started with an early three from Hayes. The Angels defense contained the Pacers as Maddie Gladwell dropped in a pair of her own threes. Brittany Preston capped off the third stanza with a set of free throws to pull Meredith back to within eight points heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

Rhoney scored inside off her own missed layup at the eight-minute mark to pull the Angels to within four. But Peace countered with three layups in 48 seconds to escape the threat.

Meredith continued to pressure, but another nearly two minute draught left the Avenging Angels down by nine with less than two minutes left on the clock. Preston and Kirstie King found Gladwell twice on a break to the basket, and Rhoney scored inside once more. But steady free throw shooting kept William Peace out front for good.

Gladwell notched a career-high 14 points, and Hayes finished with 13 points, six rebounds. King grabbed a career-high 10 boards, adding six points, and Hines tallied six points, four assists.

Pacer Susannah Sykes led all with 20 points, and Makayla Ray posted a double-double with 10 points and as many rebounds.

The Avenging Angels remain on the road this weekend for a USA South doubleheader beginning with a 2 p.m. tip Saturday at N.C. Wesleyan. Sunday's match-up at Methodist is slated for a 3 p.m. start. Follow the live action HERE.