Impressive First Half Carries Marlins to 67-59 Win

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Virginia Wesleyan College women's basketball team outscored Salem College 34-22 in the first half en route to a 67-59 victory in non-conference action Tuesday night.

The Marlins jumped out to an early 7-2 lead as Alexis Platt and Jayla Harris knocked down jumpers before Kelly Jones connected for a three-pointer.

Salem fought back to tie the game at 14, and trailed 20-18 early in the second quarter as Quntashea Lewis hit a jumper with 7:51 left in the half.

VWC spurred a 7-0 run to jump in front 27-18 over the next three minutes to take an edge on the Spirits. Platt started the run with a pair of free throws before Raya Berkley converted on a pair from the charity stripe. Similar to the seven-point swing in the first quarter, this one ended on a three-pointer as Crystal Strother knocked down the attempt from beyond the arc off a Jaelyn Washington assist.

Leading 34-22 at the half, the Marlins scored early in the third on a jump shot by Platt and trifecta from Jayla Harris for a 39-22 margin.

Salem started to cut away at the 17-point lead, managing to tie the contest on several occasions, including 55-all with 4:25 left in the fourth quarter. A pair of baskets by Strother, including another basket by Platt put the Marlins up 61-55 with 3:17 to go. Salem would get no closer than four the rest of the way.

Platt led the way for the Marlins with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four steals as Harris added a career-high 16 points. Strother finished with 12 points, four rebounds and a career-high five steals.

Lewis finished with 22 points and 19 rebounds for Salem (0-2) as Alexiahonna Bush contributed 14 points and seven caroms.

Virginia Wesleyan (1-1) travels to North Carolina Wesleyan College this weekend for the N.C. Wesleyan Tip-Off Tournament. The Marlins will face the host Battling Bishops Saturday at 2 p.m.