ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. | Meredith College fell to North Carolina Wesleyan 82-41 in the opening round of the USA South Tournament on Tuesday night. The Avenging Angels fought hard all game, but hot shooting and fastbreak points helped the Battling Bishops get the win and advance to the next round. Paris Bethea and Danae Hawkins scored nine points and Rylie Wade finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, and a block.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• The Battling Bishops started the game with an 11-4 run highlighted by a three ball from Nadia Simmons. Bethea and Wade made back-to-back layups to chip into the deficit. NC Wesleyan scored ten of the last twelve points in the quarter, extending their lead to 21-10.
• Emme Baber and Kendalyn Dixon scored the first baskets of the second quarter for Meredith. Bethea buried a triple midway through the frame, slicing into the Battling Bishop's lead. North Carolina Wesleyan responded and scored eleven straight points to take the advantage into the half.
• The Avenging Angels scored 14 points in the third quarter. NC Wesleyan kept answering with scoring runs. The back-and-forth nature of the second half didn't lend itself to the comeback for Meredith and NC Wesleyan took the 82-41 victory.
• The Battling Bishops made 16 free throws to Meredith's six
• Bethea and Danae Hawkins scored nine points and Rylie Wade finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, and a block.
• Dixon scored seven points and made one from deep
• Baber posted six points on 2-4 from the field and two made free throws
• In the win, North Carolina Wesleyan had four double digit scorers: Anaya Hall (11), Dorinda Jordan (10), Corynthian Williams (10), and Iyania Evans (10).