Lockdown Defense Carries Marlins past Hollins

ROANOKE, Va. – The Virginia Wesleyan College women's basketball team outscored Hollins University 48-18 after the first quarter to defeat the hosts 60-33 Sunday in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) opener for both teams.

Hollins managed a 15-12 lead after the first quarter due to a 58.3% (7-12) shooting mark from the field. The Marlins shot 23.5% in the quarter, but were able to keep the contest within a possession by forcing Hollins into five turnovers in the period.

That is the only quarter that Hollins would score in double figures as the Marlins held the hosts to five points each in the second and third quarters, tallying eight in the fourth period. Virginia Wesleyan forced 14 turnovers in the defensive assault, scoring 14 points off those turnovers.

Trailing 15-12 to start the second quarter, the Marlins collected a big three-pointer from Jayla Harris to knot the contest. The two teams went back and forth, resulting in a 19-all tie with 2:50 left in the half after Alexis Platt knocked down a baseline jumper.

Amanda Gerni connected from three on the next VWC possession to give the guests a lead; something Virginia Wesleyan would hold the remainder of the contest.

Porsha Waddey converted one of two free throws for Hollins a minute later, but Harris rattled off five straight points for VWC to take a 27-20 lead into halftime.

The Marlins carried that momentum into the third quarter, holding Hollins to a lone two-point jumper through the first 8:35 of the period. Virginia Wesleyan tallied 15 points to the scoreboard during that span to go up 42-22 with 1:25 to play as six different Marlins found the scoring column.

Virginia Wesleyan out-rebounded Hollins 56-38, while also limiting the hosts to 26.8% (15-56) shooting and a 16.7% (1-7) mark from three-point range.

Deanna Campbell registered eight points and six rebounds for Hollins (2-2/0-1).

Harris finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists for Virginia Wesleyan. Gerni finished with eight points and five rebounds while Platt corralled a team-high, nine rebounds.

Virginia Wesleyan (3-2/1-0) travels to Methodist University Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. non-conference start.