FERRUM, Va. --- Virginia Anne Hagood led all scorers with a career-high 17 points as Roanoke defeated Ferrum, 68-63 in non-conference action Friday afternoon. The Maroons remained undefeated with an 8-0 record while the Panthers dropped to 3-3 on the season.

 

The Maroons, who are now 30-9 all-time against Ferrum, have won four of their last five meetings.

 

Ferrum held a 34-20 points in the paint advantage and a slim 36-35 win in the rebounding war, but the Maroons didn't trail in the final 13 minutes of the game and slowly pulled away from the Panthers for their eight-straight win.

 

The first half had two ties and six lead changes as neither team could pull away. Both teams held a five-point lead, only for it to be taken away as the Maroons went into the half with a slim, 34-32 lead.

 

Ferrum jumped out to a three-point lead early in the second half as a Brittney Bullock lay-up gave the Panthers a 41-38 lead with 14:55 remaining. It was their final lead of the game.

 

Jordan Gholson's lay-up gave the Maroons its first lead of the half and sparked a 12-2 run to make it 50-38 with 10:33 remaining.

 

Ferrum wouldn't go away and roared back with a 19-9 run over the next seven minutes to make the score, 59-57 as Roanoke called timeout with three minutes remaining.

 

Roanoke countered with a late, 11-2 run asJaleesa Osborne's two free-throws gave the Maroons a game-high 68-59 lead with 14-seconds remaining and sealed their first win of 2009.

 

Erin Jenkins had 13 points and seven rebounds while Gholson tossed in 10 of her own along with nine rebounds and three steals. Osborne finished with 13 points and three assists while Caitlyn Long had nine points and six rebounds. Rebecca Bays finished with six points and a career-high five assists. 

 

The Panthers were led by Miranda Carrasco with 13 points as four players scored in double figures. Tonya Wright had a near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Caprice laws also had a near double-double with 10 points and nine assists in addition to six rebounds.

 

The women return to conference play on Tuesday, Jan. 6 as they travel to Lynchburg College. The Maroons own a 58-7 series advantage against the Hornets, including the last nine meetings. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

 

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