Gerni Ties Own ODAC Record in Win over Shenandoah

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Sophomore Amanda Gerni tied her own Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) record of 10 three-pointers in a contest as the Virginia Wesleyan College women's basketball team defeated Shenandoah University 79-61 on Wednesday.

Gerni matched the mark of 10 three-pointers that she set at Randolph College on December 3, just over one month ago.

She got hot from beyond the arc late in the second quarter to help spur on a Marlin run. She connected on three attempts from long distance in the final four minutes of the half as Virginia Wesleyan ran off a 20-1 run to turn a 23-16 deficit into a 36-24 halftime lead.

Trailing 23-16 with 3:54 to play until intermission, NiAsia Caldwell found a way to the free-throw line where she converted on one of two attempts. Following an empty possession by the Hornets, Gerni found Reagan Holmes for a three-pointer, cutting the gap to a single possession at 23-20.

Back-to-back Shenandoah turnovers resulted in a pair of Jayla Harris layups, giving the Marlins their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. Leading 25-23, Gerni connected on the first of her 10 threes for a 28-23 Marlin lead with 1:35 to play in the half.

Raya Berkley found Gerni again on the next possession down the floor where the sophomore knocked down another long three. Already leading 31-24, Gerni poured in a final three of the half, putting the Marlins up double-figures before a pair of Berkley free throws with three seconds to play concluded the half and the Marlin run.

Virginia Wesleyan outscored the Hornets by seven in the third quarter, largely due to Gerni's seven second-half trifectas and 23 points scored after the break. Gerni was 8-of-11 from the field in the second half and an incredible 7-of-9 from distance.

Erin French of Shenandoah (3-9/0-3) scored 20 of her 29 points in the second half, pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds for the double-double.

Gerni finished with a career high of 32 points to go with career highs of six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Harris posted her sixth game of at least 20 points this season as she concluded the night with 21 points and five assists.

Virginia Wesleyan (7-4/2-1) hosts Guilford College (9-2/2-1) in an ODAC contest Saturday at 2 p.m.