EMORY, Va. -- A quick 9-0 lead set the tone for Virginia Wesleyan College's women's basketball team on Sunday as the Marlins never trailed en route to a 67-47 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over host Emory & Henry College's Wasps at the John Rutledge King Center.

Juniors Andrea Paphites (Virginia Beach/Princess Anne) and Kerri Taylor (Stockport, England/The Hill School, Pa.), and sophomore Cassie Conley (New Market/Stonewall Jackson) combined scoring to create the early lead for the Marlins, who used a balanced attack to extend the lead and maintain it throughout the league opener for both teams.

Pressuring defense that helped force the Wasps (1-2, 0-1) into 19 first-half turnovers helped the Marlins, who led 39-15 at halftime.  VWC turned the ball over only four times in the first 20 minutes.

Virginia Wesleyan pushed its lead to a game-high 27 points with 7:21 remaining to be played when junior Brittany Glasco (Fredericksburg/Massaponax)hit a pair of free throws.  Emory & Henry battled back to cut the spread to 18 points at 62-44 when Asja Jenkins (Richmond/St. Catherine's) nailed a three-pointer with 2:48 on the clock.  But, the Wasps would get no closer.

Four Marlins finished in double-figure scoring, led by Paphites and Glasco with 15 points each. Glaso connected on 5-of-9 field goal attempts, while Paphites nailed 7-of-13 attempts.  Senior Katie Tassa (Bristow/Manassas Osbourn Park) added 12 points and led all rebounding with nine caroms.  Sophomore Kelly Jones (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron)contributed with 10 points. Paphites also topped the Marlins with seven assists and four steals.

Kristie Langley (Stanley, N.C./Providence Grove) scored 13 points and Karina Farr (Graham, Wash./Bethel) added 11 to lead Emory & Henry scoring. Amanda Stanley (Mooresville, N.C./South Iredell) and Tamara Brewster (Morrow, Ga./Forest Park) pulled down seven rebounds each for the Wasps.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Tuesday, Nov.26, hosting Lynchburg College's Hornets in and ODAC contest beginning at 6 p.m. The VWC men will host Newport News Apprentice School immediately after.

--AMDG--