Salem, VA – The women's basketball team defeated Averett, 73-47 at Bast Gym on Saturday afternoon. The Maroons improved to 2-0 on the season while the Cougars dropped to 0-3 on the young season. With the win, head coach Susan Dunagan won her 500^th career game, making her ninth among NCAA Div. III head coach to accomplish that feat.

 

The Maroons were led by senior forward Erin Hanson, with 16 points to lead all scorers. She shot 7-of-12 from the field and had three steals and three rebounds. Hanson, a D3Hoops Pre-Season All-America Selection, passed Kay Caldwell for seventh on the all-time scoring list (1,210). She needs 25 points to pass Karen Jenkins for sixth-place. She also needs seven rebounds to pass Amy Athey for seventh all-time in rebounding.

 

Jordan Gholson, Caitlyn Long and Jaleesa Osborne poured in 10 points apiece to lead the Maroons. Osborne and Long each had career highs in steals with seven and four, respectively.  Gholson also pulled down six rebounds and six blocks, all career-highs.

 

With the score, 8-6 at the beginning of the game, the Maroons went on an 18-3 run, led by Osborne's eight points, three off her own steals to make it a 26-9 lead with 4:43 remaining in the first half. A lay-up by Bridge off her own rebound with no time left would give the Maroons their largest lead of the half, 36-18.

 

In the second half, the Cougars had Roanoke on their heels. After a Hanson lay-up just 17-seconds into the half, they would go on a 12-2 run to cut their deficit to 10, 40-30 with 15:51 left in the game. Both teams would trade buckets over the next five minutes.

 

After a timeout called by Dunagan, the women would wake up and finish the game on a 22-8 run, which put Dunagan in elite company as the ninth head coach to win 500 games in NCAA Div. III.

 

Roanoke held Averett to 32-percent shooting, 26% in the first half. Roanoke would outscore Averett, 39-8 points off turnovers, 23-3 in the second half. The Maroons also outscored the Cougars 30-16 points in the paint and 25-14 bench scoring.

 

Senior point guard Torri Bridge had an all-around performance with eight points, five rebounds six assists and three steals to pace the Maroons.

 

The Maroons will be back at home on Tuesday, Nov. 27 vs. Guilford at Bast Gym. Roanoke is 24-13 all-time against the Quakers. Since 1999, the Quakers lead the series, 12-7. Roanoke won the final meeting last season, 65-44 at home on Feb. 10. Game Time is scheduled for 7 p.m.