VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- Roanoke came into the Batten Center and came out with a 61-45 victory over Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. The win improved the Maroons to, 19-2, 15-2 in the ODAC. The Marlins dropped to 14-7, 11-5 in the conference.

 

With the win, Roanoke (19-2) is one win shy of earning the programs' 16^th 20-win season and the first since the 1999-00 season (22-7), which was time the Maroons had their last ODAC Championship and NCAA-Tournament berth. The 11-game win streak and the 9-1 away record are the most since 1996-97.

 

The Maroons are now 36-17 all-time against the Marlins, including three of the last four meetings. This is the first time the Maroons have swept VWC since 1998-99. It was also the first time Roanoke swept this particular two-game road trip with Randolph-Macon since 1993-94.

 

Both teams exchanged baskets early before Roanoke broke the game open with a 13-0 run to make it a 19-7 lead with 8:55 remaining in the half. Lindsay Skaff, Erin Jenkins and Jordan Gholson kept the Marlins at bay, hitting five three-pointers and scored a combined 25 of the Maroons 35 first-half points. Roanoke went into the half with a comfortable, 35-22 advantage.

 

After a made basket by Gholson made it, 37-22, the Marlins closed their deficit to within five on a 15-5 run. Brittani Patton's breakaway steal and lay-up put the Marlins within five, 42-37 with 10:15 left.

 

Virginia Wesleyan kept it within single digits as a Maggie Smith layup made it, 46-39 with nine minutes left to play. Roanoke pulled away late, scoring 15 of the last 21 points to win their 15^th ODAC game, the most in eight seasons (2000-01).

 

Roanoke outscored VWC, 20-12 in the paint and 25-12 off the bench led by Skaff with 12 points, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, both season-bests. The women took care of the ball, with 17 assists to only nine turnovers, their lowest total of the season.

 

Roanoke was led by Jenkins with 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots. Her three treys puts her at 79 for her career, only two shy of tying both Carrie McConnell '00 and Debbie Puch '93 for eighth all-time in that category.Marcy Conner added eight points while Jaleesa Osborne finished with five points, a career-best eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. She moved past Donna Cogar '92 to eighth all-time in career assists with 255.

 

Jordan Gholson finished with eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots. Her 45 blocked shots on the year tied her own single-season record with former Maroon Dena Blank. Her 90 blocked shots are tied for fourth all-time.

 

The Marlins were led by Maggie Smith with 14 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots. Kristina Jameson finished with nine points and six rebounds while Patton contributed four points, three assists and four steals.

 

The women will return to the Bast Center on Wednesday, Feb. 11 against Bennett College (NC). It will be the first meetings against Bennett. Roanoke is 4-0 against non-conference opponents this season. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

 

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