Box Score SALEM - The Roanoke College women's basketball team dropped its home opener to Ferrum College on Tuesday night, 103-86 in non-conference action. The Maroons now sit with a record of 2-1, while the Panthers open up their season 1-0.

Roanoke hold an all-time advantage over Ferrum, winning 31 of the 44 contests played between the two teams. The Panthers entered Bast Gymnasium picked as the top team in the USA South preseason coaches poll.

Before the game, Athletic Director Scott Allison and Assistant Athletic Director Brad Moore of the Maroon Club made a special presentation to head coach Susan Dunagan for her 600^th win. With Roanoke's win on Sunday, Dunagan became the 8^th NCAA Division III women's coach to reach the 600 win mark. She is also the 46^th all-time and 26^th current coach in all of NCAA Division I, II and III women's basketball to eclipse 600 wins.

Hannah Ward, Laurel Hankins and Paxton Gwin combined for the first six points for the Maroons, as Roanoke took a 6-3 lead in the first two minutes of the game. Ferrum's Shea Smith hit an old fashioned three-point play to tie the game up at 6-6. Roanoke brought the game back to 9-6 after a Tatum McKee free throw and Kelsey Smith layup. The Panthers' Kayla Goins scored the next four points to start an 8-2 run to go ahead 14-11. Ferrum was able to hold on to their lead through the 9:03 mark were Holleran scored three points to tie the game at 20-20. The Panthers broke away again, going on an 11-3 run to take a nine point lead. Holleran scored Roanoke's next seven points, despite Ferrum scoring an equal total, maintaining their nine point lead. With 1:12 left in the half, Ward scored three points to bring the Maroons back within two, 43-41. However, Ferrum scored four points in the last 12 seconds to enter the locker room with a six point lead.

Gwin scored six of Roanoke's first nine points in the second half, bringing the Maroons back within five 55-50 at the 16:37 mark. Hankins drained a trey shortly after to cut the deficit to two. The Panthers went on another 11-3 run to extend the lead to 10, 66-56. With eight minutes to play in the game Roanoke pulled back within four, 72-68 after a Markia Beckwith jumper. Ferrum went streaking again as they outscored Roanoke 13-4 through the 3:53 mark. The Panthers continued to outscore Roanoke down the stretch, picking up the win in the Bast Center, 103-86

Kelsey Smith led the Maroons in scoring, tallying 17 points on the night. She was followed by Paxton Gwin, who finished with 16 points and tied Tatum McKee for a team high five rebounds. Bridget Holleran put up 12 points on the night, while Laurel Hankins netted 11. Gwin also led all players in steals (4) and blocks (2).

Both teams shot well from the field, as Ferrum hit 58.3 percent of its shots, while Roanoke knocked down 45.1 percent from the field. The Panthers also led from the free throw line, 81.8 to 56.0 percent. The Maroons excelled in points off turnovers (29) and second chance points (18). Both teams saw the same amount of success from the bench, with Ferrum seeing a slight edge, 33-32.

The Maroons return to action on Saturday, November 23^rd as they take on ODAC opponent Randolph-Macon. The contest, held in Ashland, VA is scheduled for a 1:00 PM start.

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