The Game Facts:
Score: (No. 25) Roanoke 78, Virginia Wesleyan 69 (OT)
Location: Salem, Va. – Salem Civic Center

The Short story: It took overtime, but the Roanoke College men's basketball team outlasted Virginia Wesleyan University 78-69 in the semifinals of the 2025-26 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament Friday evening.

The third-seeded Maroons advance into Saturday's Championship game, squaring off with top-seeded Randolph-Macon College at 8 p.m.

Roanoke dominated the overtime period despite having two starters foul out in regulation. RC scored the first eight points of the extra session and led by at least six the rest of the way. Jackson Bell scored five of the first eight points of OT and assisted on the other three-point basket.

How it happened:  
*Ryan Truitt provided nine points in the first half as the two teams entered halftime tied 34-34. Amari Moorer had 11 points and nine rebounds for VWU in the game's first 20 minutes.
*After the Marlins took a 44-40 lead with 14:38 left in regulation, Roanoke used a 17-4 run to take a nine-point edge, 57-48, with 6:27 remaining on the game clock.
*Va. Wesleyan tied the game with just 0.7 seconds left on the game clock. Omari Deveaux drove the length of the floor, making a layup and drawing a foul – but missed the potential game winning free throw.   

Inside the numbers:
*Marcus Morgan finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Maroons.
*Truitt also scored 14 points with seven boards.
*Bell compiled 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Patrick Clevenger had 13 points and five rebounds.
*Porter Stanley added seven points and five boards and Tyler Barnes also netted seven points.
*Deveaux scored a game-high 26 points for the Marlins (19-8) and Moorer had 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
*Roanoke's defense forced Va. Wesleyan into just 27.6 (8-29) shooting in the second half and 30 percent (3-10) in overtime.

Next Time:
*Virginia Wesleyan awaits a potential at large berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament.