BRIDGEWATER, Va. -- Rookie Nancy Kelly hit a jumper to break a 28-all tie Tuesday and Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins led thereafter en route to posting a 68-52 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over the host Eagles of Bridgewater College.

Kelly (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) scored with 4:47 on the clock in the first half, hitting off an assist from sophomore Symonne Newsome (Reistertown, Md./St. Paul's School for Girls) igniting a 9-2 Marlin run capped by a timely triple by rookie Kerri-Leanne Taylor (Stockport, England/The Hill School, Pa.) that opened up a 35-28 lead with 2:34 remaining.  

Virginia Wesleyan led 35-29 at halftime and outscored the Eagles 10-3 in the early minutes of the second half, led by six points from senior Jocelyn Spencer (Newport News, Va./Hampton Roads Academy) to pull away.  Spencer and senior Beth Ann Boyce (Colonial Heights, Va./Colonial Heights) nailed consecutive triples to give VWC a 59-43 advantage with 7:40 remaining.

The Marlins opened up their largest lead of the game at 68-49 with 1:11 remaining and closed out the second victory of the regular season over the Eagles (14-9, 10-8).

Virginia Wesleyan improved its league-leading record to 16-2, with two regular season games remaining.  The Marlins, winners of five consecutive games, improved to 19-4 overall.

Spencer hit 4-of-4 field goals en route to leading the Marlins with 11 points.  She also dished out four assists.  Kristen Blalock (Suffolk, Va./Portsmouth Christian) and rookie Sarah Seipp (Gaitherbsurg, Md./Gaithersburg) added 10 points each.  Seipp also recorded three assists, four steals, and a block.

Kelsey Taylor (Nokesville, Va./Brentsville) led Bridgewater with 11 points. Shannan Thorne (Cross Junction, Va./James Wood) added nine points and led all rebounding with 11.

Virginia Wesleyan closes out the regular season this weekend starting Friday, Feb. 17 at Hollins University, at 7 p.m.  The Marlins play again on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Roanoke College at 4 p.m.

--AMDG--