Marlins Rally for 84-73 Victory over Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Virginia Wesleyan College women's basketball team outscored Bridgewater College 56-37 in the second half to defeat the Eagles 84-73 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action Wednesday night.

Bridgewater led the entire first half, taking a 36-28 edge into halftime. The Eagles scored four of the first six points out of the break on a pair of Kaitlyn Lehan layups to go up 40-30 with 8:19 to play in the third.

The Eagles continued to hold on to their advantage, going up 46-39 on a pair of Lehan free throws. Virginia Wesleyan responded though with a 14-0 run over the next three minutes to go up 53-46.

Crystal Strother started the run with a jumper off a NiAsia Caldwell assist. A Jayla Harris jumper and a traditional 3-point play by Amanda Gerni knotted the contest at 46. Harris made two more jumpers, sandwiching a Raya Berkley layup, to extend the run.

The Eagles stopped the run following a Caldwell free throw with a Jessica Lam put-back layup, but the damage was done. The Marlins led the remainder of the game.

Bridgewater held a narrow edge in shooting (42.2% to 40.5%) with a 51-39 lead in rebounds. The Marlins won the contest behind eight made 3-pointers, holding the Eagles to an 0-8 mark from distance. VWC also forced Bridgewater into 20 turnovers, committing just eight on the evening.

Lehan led Bridgewater (13-11/6-9) with 24 points and 19 rebounds while Lam contributed 20 points and Sydni Carey, 14.

Gerni had a team-high 20 points off the bench for the Marlins. Berkley had 18 points and six rebounds while Harris added 17 points and Strother contributed 14 points and seven boards.

Virginia Wesleyan (13-11/8-7) hosts Emory & Henry College Saturday at 2 p.m. for Senior Day. The Marlins will recognize Strother and Alexis Platt in a pregame ceremony.

Notes

The Marlins ended a run of just one win in their last six games on Wednesday… VWC is 31-40 all-time against Bridgewater, winning for the first time since 2014-15… The 84 points is the most in a win over BC for the Marlins since a 94-88 win in 1997-98… With the win, the Marlins have secured no worse than a tie for fifth place, giving Virginia Wesleyan a home game in the ODAC First Round next Tuesday.