The women's basketball team fell to visiting Virginia Wesleyan, 66-54 at Bast Gym on Friday evening. The loss dropped the Maroons to 3-1 overall, 1-1 in ODAC play. The Marlins improved to 4-1, 2-0 in the ODAC.

 

The Maroons were outrebounded, 46-42 for the first time all season. The Marlins would outscore the Maroons, 18-8 in second chance points, which proved to be the difference along with connecting on seven three-pointers to Roanoke's two in the game. The Maroons would shoot 54-percent from the line and 18% from beyond the arc.

 

The Marlins came out with an early 7-0 lead and wouldn't trail the entire game. The Maroons would get as close as one point, countering on an 8-2 run to make the score, 9-8 at the 15:08 mark in the first half. 

 

The Marlins pushed the lead up to nine points, 24-15 off three Marlin three-pointers and two put backs with 8:57 left in the half.

 

The Maroons would cut the Marlin lead back to within one just before the half, going on a 11-3 run led by freshman Jordan Gholson's back-to-back layups to finish with six first half points.

 

Roanoke hung tough throughout the second half until an 11-2 Virginia Wesleyan run killed any chance of a comeback effort by the Maroons.  They were without sophomore guard Jaleesa Osborne for most of the second half with an injury suffered at the 18-minute mark.

 

The Maroons were led by sophomore Caitlyn Long with 13 points and three assists to tie her career-high. Senior Erin Hanson finished with 10 points and seven rebounds while Gholson chipped in 10 points, pulled down five rebounds and two blocked shots. Senior Torri Bridge finished with six points, five rebounds and three assists.

 

On a positive note, the Maroons did outscore the Marlins, 30-22 points in the paint and 17-10 bench scoring. Sara Keller and Virginia Anne Hagood combined for 11 rebounds, with six and five, respectively. Erin Jenkins tied a career-high three assists.

 

The Maroons are back in action tomorrow as they host Randolph-Macon at 4 p.m. following the men's game vs. Virginia Wesleyan. The Yellow Jackets are ranked #22 in the latest D3Hoops poll and were picked pre-season #1 in the ODAC. The Maroons lead the all-time series, 33-27, 28-25 since Dunagan has been head coach. The Yellow Jackets have won 12 of the last 14 meetings since 2002.