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Pfeiffer University’s A’Mya McClain and Shalonda Wilkins each scored in double figures as the Falcons took a season-opening win, routing Methodist 67-43 in a USA South game at the Riddle Center on Saturday afternoon.

Pfeiffer, playing in their first game of the season, started out fast, bolting to a quick 9-0 lead over the first 3:39 of the game, never trailing against the Monarchs.

By the end of the first quarter, the Falcons owned a commanding 18-5 lead.

Methodist (0-1, 0-1 USA South) would outscore the Falcons in the second quarter, but Pfeiffer carried a 32-23 lead into halftime.

Methodist would then draw to within four points (36-32) at the 6:11 mark of the third quarter, but the Falcons would go on a 15-1 run to close the quarter, taking a 51-33 advantage into the fourth.

Pfeiffer would then lead by as many as 28 points (67-39) down the stretch, eventually claiming the 67-49 road win in the return to play for the entire Falcon Athletic Department.

McClain, a senior from Hickory, N.C., led all scorers, pouring in 17 points while going 8-of-10 from the field. Wilkins, a senior from Chesterfield, Va., had five assists and five rebounds to go along with her 12 points.

The senior duo of Brina Bentley (Chester, Va.) and Regan Allen (Olin, N.C.) each had eight points in the win while newcomer Alexis Murriel (Gastonia, N.C.) also had eight points in her Falcon debut and five rebounds, both career-highs for the sophomore transfer.

Sophomore Angel Roland (Monroe, N.C.) had the best outing in her career wearing the black and yellow, notching career highs in points (six), rebounds (nine) and blocks (six).

Pfeiffer freshmen and high school teammates from Newton-Conover High School in Hickory, N.C., Aaliah Walton and Jahlea Peters, each scored their first career points in the win, with Walton scoring five and Peters managing three in their collegiate debut. Both also managed five rebounds.

As a team, Pfeiffer finished 27-of-62 (43.5%) from the field, coerced the Monarchs into 28 turnovers while scoring 29 points off the opponent miscues, and dominated play inside, outscoring Methodist 46-14 in the paint.