ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Junior Brittany Glasco converted a three-point play with 1:55 remaining Wednesday to give Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins a lead they would not relinquish against the host Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan College.

The score by Glasco (Fredericksburg/Massaponax)gave VWC a 56-55 lead and junior Nancy Kelly (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney)followed with a layup off an assist by Glasco to extend the lead to 58-55.  Kenyata Harris (Raleigh, N.C./Wake Forest Rolesville) scored for NCWC with 12 seconds remaining to pull within a point, but junior Andrea Paphites (Virginia Beach/Princess Anne)hit two free throws with seven seconds on the clock to give VWC a 60-57 lead that held up to the final buzzer.

VWC's 60-57 victory improved the Marlins' record to 5-2.  North Carolina Wesleyan, the No. 2 preseason pick in the USA South Athletic's Conference's North Division, fell to 1-3.

The non-conference contest was a tight one from the start, with the Marlins owning a five-point lead in the first half, before NCWC rolled back to open up  six-point lead, 32-26, on a Harris jumper with 2:04 remaining to be played in the first half.  Glasco and Paphites carried the Marlins in the closing minutes of the half however, as Virginia Wesleyan outscored the host team 6-0 to create a 32-all tie at the break.

A back-and-forth second half followed in a game that included eight tie scores.

Glaso emerged as VWC's leading scoring, recording 17 points, her second highest output of the season and fourth straight game in double-figure scoring.  Kelly followed with 16 points, tying her career high, and Paphites added 12 points, recording her seventh consecutive double-figure scoring contest.  Sophomore Kelly Jones (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron) added 10 points.

Paphites helped the cause by recording a season-high eight rebounds.  Senior Katie Tassa (Bristow/Manassas Osbourn Park)pulled down the same number. Paphites led VWC with five assists and Jones led the Marlins with four steals.

Tiffany Bell (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) led the Bishops with 17 points, followed by Shanice Goree (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) with 14 points, and Harris with 10. Harris also pulled in a team-leading eight rebounds.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Salem, Va.  The Marlins will face the host Maroons of Roanoke College in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action beginning at 3 p.m.

--AMDG--