For immediate release – 2/21/2013 - #258

Hornets Make History, Defeat Bridgewater 51-47 to Advance to ODAC Semifinals

SALEM, VA – The #5-seed Lynchburg College women's basketball team made school history, winning its first game at the Salem Civic Center, 51-47, over #4-seed Bridgewater College on a pair of free throws by sophomore Shannon Allan with three seconds remaining.

The Hornets have advanced to the Salem Civic Center portion of the Old Dominion Athletic (ODAC) Tournament in years prior, but this is the first time the team has found victory at the neutral site. The win marks the first semifinal appearance for LC since the 1989-90 season.

Lynchburg held an early 12-3 lead, as the Hornets held Bridgewater to 10% shooting from the field and zero makes from three-point range. Sophomore Third Team All-ODAC selection Lauren Penley had four points in the early going for the Hornets to set the pace.

Bridgewater came back thanks to a full-court press as the Eagles outscored Lynchburg 17-4 from that point on, taking a 20-16 lead with 1:14 remaining in the first half. ODAC Player of the Year, Jessica Mullen led the Eagles with six points and six rebounds in the first twenty minutes of action. Lynchburg kept her in check in the second half, totaling eight points on 3-of-13 shooting.

Penley's layup with 7:57 remaining was the last score by the Hornets until junior Ann Dorris drew a foul with eight seconds remaining in the first half. A pair of free throws made it a two point deficit, 20-18, at halftime.

Lynchburg came out of the break on a 5-0 run as freshman Chaney Forbush connected on a traditional three-point play in front of a jump shot by First Team All-ODAC selection, Allan. Following a basket by the Eagles, Allan knocked down a three for a 26-22 lead.

Bridgewater went on a 9-0 run after the Allan score. It took a Lynchburg timeout to settle the Hornets and generate a 13-6 run with 15:35 remaining.

Dorris started the run with a layup before junior Caleigh Patterson got an And-1 opportunity. Following the made free throw, Allan knocked down a jumper for a 35-34 lead with 12:51 to play.

Lynchburg would continue to lead the rest of the way although Bridgewater had an attempt with less than 30 seconds remaining to tie or take the lead, down 48-46, but Dorris stole a pass from Mullen. She was fouled with seven seconds remaining and knocked down 1-of-2 from the charity stripe.

Katelynn Hottinger matched Dorris with 1-of-2 on the Eagles' side of the floor. Allan collected the miss on the second attempt to set up the final free throws.

Allan led the Hornets (18-9) with 15 points and 12 boards for her fourth double-double of the year. Forbush added nine points and nine caroms, while Patterson and Dorris had seven points each.

Holly Morgan led the Eagles (14-11) with 15 points while Hottinger had nine points and seven rebounds.

Lynchburg will play the #1-seed Eastern Mennonite University (20-5) Saturday at 1 p.m. for the opportunity to play in the ODAC Championship Game.