VIRGINIA BEACH -- Virginia Wesleyan College's No. 2 Marlins shook off the effects of an 11-day lay-off, that included semester exams, to gradually put together an 86-56 non-conference win over Shenandoah University on Saturday.

Playing the first of two "holiday" games at the Jane P. Batten Student Center, the Marlins (7-1) produced a 10-0 lead in the first 6:18 of the game and started to pick up steam when sophomoreD.J. Woodmore (Virginia Beach/Landstown) hit a three-pointer to give VWC a 17-5 lead with 10:49 remaining to be played in the first half.

A dunk by Shenandoah's James Bowens (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) cut the spread to 10 points seconds later, but that was as close as the Hornets (1-7) would get the rest of the way.  In the next 10 minutes, the Marlins dominated with depth and talent as eight players scored in a decisive 27-9 run that opened up a 44-16 VWC lead.  Senior Donald Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va./Dumfries Potomac) dominated inside for nine points for the Marlins and Woodmore was consistent from long range, hitting three more triples.

Virginia Wesleyan led 46-20 at halftime and continued to utilize depth to maintain a healthy lead.  A three-pointer by Chris Astorga (Suffolk, Va./Virginia Beach Cape Henry Collegiate) with 6:08 remaining in the game to give the Marlins their largest lead at 38 points, 78-40.

Astorga and Woodmore emerged as the leading scorers for VWC, recording 14 points each.  While Woodmore hit 5-of-10 shots, including 4-of-7 triples, Astorga hit on 5-of-11 shots overall. Chris Teasley (Newport News, Va./Menchville) and Vaughn both contributed 12 points and senior Art Crew (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) tallied nine points.

Virginia Wesleyan dominated the rebounding battle, 39-25, led by Vaughn with eight and senior Ali Brown (Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan) with six.  The Marlins also recorded 17 assists, led by juniorTre' Ford (Falls Church, Va./J.E.B. Stuart) with six and Woodmore with five.  Astorga led VWC with three steals. Overall, 17 Marlins played in the game.

Avery Green (Fredericksburg, Va./Courtland), Ross Heyl (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saquaro), Xavier Alston (Fredericksburg, Va./Courtland), and Bowens all scored eight points each for Shenandoah, which joins the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in all sports next year.  Bowens also led the Hornets  with eight rebounds.

Virginia Wesleyan closes out the 2011 portion of its 2011-12 schedule on Tuesday, Dec. 20, hosting the Wolverines of Delaware's Wesley College in a non-conference game starting at 4 p.m. at the Batten Center.

--AMDG--