The Pfeiffer University women’s basketball team put together a big fourth quarter, erasing a seven-point deficit in a 55-54 win at Methodist Wednesday night.

Trailing 42-35 to start the fourth quarter, the Falcons managed to pull even with the Monarchs when A’Mya McClain got a layup to fall with 2:41 left to tie the game at 48.  Following a Brina Bentley free throw that gave Pfeiffer the 49-48 lead, the Falcons were able to force a Monarch turnover with 1:44 left.

Bentley again came up big, this time by getting a layup to fall while being fouled with 48 seconds left to make it 51-48.  Her free throw was no good and Methodist was able to control the rebound and quickly called a timeout.

Following the timeout, Methodist was able to draw a foul and convert two free throws to pull to within 51-50 with 27 seconds left.

Following a Falcon timeout, senior Sydni Bickford drew a foul and knocked down both free throws to push the lead to 53-50.  Methodist scored again to make it 53-52 with 12 seconds remaining. The Monarchs fouled Pfeiffer again and Mya Johnson converted the free throws for the 55-52 lead with 10 seconds to go.

Methodist scored quickly to make it 55-54 with six seconds left and quickly called another timeout. On the ensuing Pfeiffer possession, the Falcons turned the ball over, giving Methodist a chance at a last-second win, but a 3-point attempt with two seconds left was off the mark and Pfeiffer escaped with the one-point win.

Bentley led the Falcons by scoring 23 points and pulling down 12 rebounds for the double-double while Bickford chipped in 10 points in the win, which improved the Falcons to 8-7 on the season and 5-6 in league play.

Methodist dropped to 4-15 overall and 2-9 in USA South play.

Pfeiffer will next be in action Saturday,  traveling to N.C. Wesleyan for a 2 p.m. tipoff.