Holliday, a sophomore center, scored a career-high 23 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the field, while Wansley, a senior forward, scored a career-high 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field to pace Methodist.
In a tight game where neither team led by more than eight points, Methodist went ahead 56-54 with 7:32 remaining in the game. However, Averett answered with an 11-1 to lead 65-57 with 4:27 remaining. With Holliday and Wansley producing in the paint, the Lady Monarchs trimmed the Cougar lead to 67-65 at the two-minute mark, and Lisa Jackson tied the game twice on two free throws in the final two minutes.
With possession, Averett’s Hanna Taylor was fouled with 40 seconds remaining. She missed the first free throw, but converted the second to give the Cougars the one-point lead. Methodist worked the ball down inside of 15 seconds, and Ashley Smith rebounded her own missed shot to keep the Lady Monarchs’ hopes alive.
Methodist went for the victory with 12 seconds remaining, but Wansley’s jump shot was off, and Averett retained possession on a rebound out of bounds. The Cougars successfully inbounded the pass for the victory.
In addition to Holliday and Wansley, Jackson scored nine points for Methodist, while forward Stacy Williams and guard Ashley Harris each added seven points. Smith and Christen Snyder each dished out six assists.
Taylor scored 17 points to pace Averett (4-7, 2-2), including 12 in the first half in which the Cougars overcame a six-point Methodist lead to take a 38-33 lead at halftime. Jasmine Adams scored 13 points off the bench and Dawn Sheets added nine points.
Methodist travels to Chowan on Saturday at 2 p.m. for a non-conference showdown.