ODAC Showdown Goes To Generals

action photo of RC basketball player Morgan Micallef
Morgan Micallef scored 14 points in 18 minutes against W&L

The Basics
Score: Roanoke 78 | Washington and Lee 89
Records: Maroons 12-5, 7-3 | Generals 11-6, 8-2
Location: Lexington, Va.

The Lead: Washington and Lee played host to Roanoke with first place in the ODAC on the line. The Maroons led early but a late first half run put the Generals in front as W&L took the matchup, 89-78.

How it Happened:

  • Kayla Kinsler, Renee Alquiza, and Whitney Hopson hit consecutive three pointers to give the Maroons a 9-5 lead after 3:00 of play. 
  • Megan Horn hit a three ball at the 3:20 mark to give the Generals their first lead of the night. 
  • The first period would see a pair of ties and five lead changes with the home team scoring the final five points of the frame to take a 25-21 edge heading into the second quarter. 
  • After W&L opened a six point lead, a Hopson jumper cut the deficit to four with seven minutes to go before the break. 
  • Twice the Generals appeared poised to pull away but three pointers by assure Brandstatter and Alquiza kept RC to within seven. However, a Horn triple gave W&L a 47-37 advantage at the break. 
  • RC struggled in the second quarter, 28% shooting, after a first quarter that saw the Maroons hit 42% of their shoots including 56% from long range. 
  • Washington and Lee immediately pushed their lead to 12 before Kristina Harrel hit a pair of free throws to spark a 4-0 run. RC made several stops but couldn't convert to trim the deficit any further and at the 5:30 mark, trailed by 13.
  • Ayanna Scarborough got a hoop and a steal to wrestle the momentum away from their hosts but a buzzer beating, shot by Horn pushed the lead back to double digits, 68-57. 
  • Alquiza started the final stanza with a three point play and a steal, but RC couldn't capitalize on the quick start as the Generals continued to keep a double digit edge at the media timeout. 
  • The Roanoke defense got the necessary stops, but miscues and missed shots would thwart any thoughts of a comeback and the Generals hung on the the ODAC's top spot with the 89-78 win. 
  • Alquiza paced RC with 16 while Morgan Micallef added 14 off the bench and Hopson scored 12. Sayre Brandstatter handed out a game high five assists and Rose Sande grabbed a team high seven rebounds.

Up next: Roanoke will welcome back their alumni on Saturday afternoon as they play host to the reigning ODAC Champion Shenandoah Hornets at 2:00pm.