Salem, VA – the women's basketball team defeated Ferrum, 72-57 to win their season-opener at Bast Gym on Tuesday evening.   The Maroons improved to 1-0 on the season while the Panthers dropped to 0-3. It was the 23^rd win for Roanoke in the all-time series (23-9) and the 13^th win by at least 15 points or more. Susan Dunagan is now one win away from becoming the ninth coach in NCAA Div. III to reach 500 wins for her career.

 

The Maroons were led by sophomore guard Caitlyn Long, who scored 19 points for the second-straight time vs. the Panthers. Both times came in Maroon season-openers. Senior Pre-Season D3Hoops All-American Erin Hanson poured in a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds in addition to five steals. All three categories were an individual series high vs. Ferrum. 

 

The Maroons stormed out to a 14-7 lead after a Hanson jumper. A Ferrum three-pointer by Shawnese Parker closed the gap to three, 18-15 with six minutes to go in the half. Jaleesa Osborne hit both of her free throws to give the Maroons their largest lead of the half, 32-21 which capped a 14-6 run with 1:45 remaining in the half.

 

The Panthers would regroup at halftime and came out strong in the second half as they went on a run of their own. After a Osbourne lay-up to give the Maroons a 42-33 lead with 16 minutes remaining, the Panthers connected on back-to-back three pointers and a lay-up by Tonya Wright cut the lead to one, 42-41. 

 

The Panthers took the lead twice by one, the latest after a Alexandri Davenport lay-up to give them a 49-48 lead with 11 minutes left.

 

The Maroons would regain the lead for good as Long would score the next eight points to take a 56-51 lead.  Roanoke would go on a commanding 25-8 run to end the game, knocking down 10-of-12 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

 

It was the lowest scoring output for the Panthers thus far into the season, as the Maroons out-rebounded the Panthers, 47-34, including 15-6 in steals. The Maroons shot 85-percent from the line, led by Bridge and Long, who combined for 10-of-12 in the win.

 

Junior Erin Jenkins dished a career-high five assists in addition to five rebounds to help the Maroons. Senior Torri Bridge had 13 points, two shy of her career-high and tied a career-high seven rebounds. She was 4-for-4 from the line. Marcy Conner pulled down a career-high nine rebounds. 

 

The Maroons will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 24 as they will host Averett. The Cougars are coached by former Maroon All-American Katrina Williams, who played under Dunagan from (2000-03). Roanoke owns the series with a 13-1 record. Dunagan has never lost to the Cougars, winning all 10 meetings.