Bridgewaters slips by VWC in final seconds

More news about: Virginia Wesleyan

HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Jessica Mullen completed a three point play in the final 15 seconds Wednesday to lift Bridgewater College's Eagles to a 61-59 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over the visiting Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan College. VWC (7-6, 3-2) led 59-58 in the waning seconds and had the chance to add to the lead, but missed on a bonus foul situation.  Bridgewater (6-5, 4-1) grabbed the rebound and advanced quickly court when Mullen produced the eventual game-winning score. Virginia Wesleyan took possession of the ball with 7.7 on the clock, but an attempted pass inside was batted away.  The Marlins retained possession of the ball with 0.2 seconds on the clock but a final shot failed to hit the mark. Bridgewater was hampered by VWC's defensive pressure, which helped force 26 Eagle turnovers, but the host team hit 41% from the field while Virginia Wesleyan nailed only 32%.  Bridgewater also dominated on the backboards, outrebounding VWC 51-32. Bridgewater posted its largest lead at 28-21 in the first half, but Virginia Wesleyan recovered to trail only 28-26 at halftime. The second half extended the close play as the teams traded the lead six times and produced four ties.  Sophomore Brittany Glasco (Fredericksburg/Massaponax) led VWC with 17 points and six steals.  Senior Rachael Miller (Sterling Park/Valley View) hit three triples and finished with nine points, and sophomores Nancy Kelly (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) and Kerri-Leanne Taylor (Stockport, England/The Hill School, Pa.) tallied eight points each.  Junior Katie Tassa (Bristow/Manassas Osbourn Park) led VWC with seven rebounds. Mullen (Purcellville/Loudon Valley) led Bridgewater with 19 points and Holly Morgan (Staunton/Buffalo Gap) added 15 points. Shannan Thorne (Cross Junction/James Wood) dominated the backboards with 16 rebounds. Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Saturday, Jan. 12 hosting Roanoke College at 4 p.m. in ODAC competition. --AMDG--