The Oglethorpe women's basketball team closed out 2019 in style Sunday afternoon at Dorough Field House, defeating Bridgewater (Virginia) 73-53 to improve to 11-1 on the season, extending the program's best start since 2008-09. The Stormy Petrels jumped out to a 23-10 lead after the first quarter and eventually pushed their advantage to as many as 24 points in the rout of the visiting Eagles.
The Petrels began the game on a 20-5 run over the opening 8:20 of the contest, and ended the first quarter up by 13 points. They then extended their edge over the opening 1:20 of the second quarter, building a 29-12 lead with 8:40 until halftime. After a couple Bridgewater baskets, Oglethorpe pushed their lead out to as much as 39-19 with just under 4:30 left until the break. The Eagles cut it to 43-28 at halftime.
The second half began with the home side pounding out an 11-2 run over the opening 6:10, allowing them to build their largest lead of the game, 54-30, with 3:50 remaining in the period. The home side cruised from there, never allowing Bridgewater to pull closer than 16 points in the fourth quarter.
The Petrels led the entire way and held the Eagles to just 22.1 percent from the field and 6-for-28 from 3-point range. Oglethorpe had some shooting woes of their own, sinking 38.7 percent of their field-goal attempts and 2 of 11 three-point attempts, but they forced 30 turnovers and outscored the visitors 27-14 in that category. They also outscored them 36-16 in the paint and 14-8 off the fast break.
Junior center Savannah LeGate led the way for the Petrels, securing her fifth double-double of the season. She scored 12 points on 5-of-9 from the field while collecting 10 rebounds.
Fellow junior center Sydni Donovan swatted five Bridgewater shots and collected eight rebounds, while junior guard Taylor Smith scored 12 on a perfect 6-of-6 from the line and four assists.
The Petrels closed out non-conference play with the victory, and now begin SAA action again when they host Hendrix Friday at 6 p.m. from Dorough Field House.