Short-Handed Marlins fall 78-72 at Lynchburg
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Virginia Wesleyan College men's basketball managed a late rally against Lynchburg College, falling 78-72 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play, despite being without two regular starters.
The Marlins were without key starters Tim Jones and Andre Banks, who both missed a game for the first time this season. Lamont Steward and Keijon Honore slid into the starting rotation for the Marlins. The duo combined for 28 points and 12 rebounds in the contest.
The Hornets jumped out to a large first-half lead, posting 47 points in the first 20 minutes to take a 47-33 edge into halftime.
Lynchburg came out of the break with four straight points from Jay Allen and Connor Schroeder to take an 18-point lead, the largest of the game.
Virginia Wesleyan began cutting into the lead with a layup by Honore and three free throws by Khalil Barnette to make it a 12-point game.
The Marlins continued to shrink the Lynchburg margin, cutting it to 60-54 with 9:14 to go on a pair of Khory Moore free throws. Lynchburg pulled away again with a 5-0 run to go back up by nine points.
Virginia Wesleyan scored the next eight points to cut the game to three points again, 65-62, before LC pulled away once more.
The Marlins had one final charge, down 73-66 with 32 seconds to play when Honore connected on a 3-pointer to make it a four-point game. Virginia Wesleyan fouled Jay Allen who converted on just one of two free throws. Moore raced down the court and poured in a three to make the score 74-72 with just 11 seconds to play.
VWC fouled Allen again, who converted on both free throws. Lynchburg forced a Marlin turnover on the next possession, scoring two more from the charity stripe to ice the game.
Zack Burnett led Lynchburg (14-9/8-6) with 18 points while Schroeder tallied 17 to go with eight rebounds. Allen and Lyndon White had 12 and 11 points respectively while pulling down nine caroms each.
Moore finished with a game-high 28 points and eight rebounds. Honore had 16 points while Steward added 12 points and nine rebounds.
Virginia Wesleyan (15-8/8-6) hosts Shenandoah University Wednesday at 7 p.m. in ODAC action.
Notes
Virginia Wesleyan is all-time against Lynchburg… The Marlins have lost the last two road games in Lynchburg… Each of the eight Marlin losses have been part of a two-game losing skid… This was the first time the Marlins have used the starting combination of Moore, Honore, Steward, Poe, Barnette… It was the first start of the year for Steward and Honore.