ASHLAND, Va. -- Ayanna Pegues scored a career-high 27 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as the Methodist women's basketball team dropped an 83-81 (OT) decision to Bridgewater on Saturday afternoon the in R-MC Tip-Off Classic.
 
Pegues hit on 8-of-18 shots from the field and 11-of-15 free throws, while adding a pair of blocked shots, but the Monarchs could not hold a 42-36 lead at the break in falling to 0-4 on the season. Bridgewater improved to 2-1 on the year.
 
The Eagles opened the final 20 minutes on a 14-2 scoring run to assume a 50-44 lead at the 14:3 mark on Cassidy Burkholder's jump shot with 14:38 to play.
 
Bridgewater's lead stood at six points (61-55) with 7:30 to play, but MU closed the game on a 17-11 run to tie the game at 72-72 and force the extra period. Alexis Wallace and Pegues each hit a free throw to start the run, and Sydney Bryan's layup at 6:50 made it 61-58. Pegues scored a pair of layups to give MU a one-point lead (62-61) at the 5:40 mark and no team led by more than three coming down the stretch.
 
In overtime, Maria Jones' three pointer gave the Monarchs a 77-74 lead, and she then connected on pair of free throws to put MU on top, 79-74 with 3:04 to play. The Eagles, however, outscored MU, 9-2, down the stretch to close out the win.
 
In addition to Pegues' 27 points, Jones scored a career-high 14, and Wallace added 11. Jasmine Canady had nine points and nine assists, and Jalisia Campbell totaled seven points and 10 boards.
 
For Bridgewater, Burkholder poured in 29 points and 10 rebounds while adding five steals. Jessica Lam had 26 points and five steals, and Heather Cantrell chipped in a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Methodist returns to the court on Dec. 12 when it plays at St. Andrews beginning at 7:00 pm.