Posted: Jan 15, 2011
SALEM, Va--- Roanoke fell to #2 Virginia Wesleyan, 96-82 Saturday afternoon at the Bast Center. The Maroons dropped to 7-7, 3-3 in ODAC play, while the Marlins remained undefeated, improving to 16-0, 7-0 in the conference.
Before the start of the game, head men's basketball coach Page Moir was recognized by Roanoke College for breaking the ODAC wins record with 231 career victories. The 22-year coaching veteran has 364 overall wins, all at Roanoke College which trails the late Bob Johnson (Emory & Henry) for the most in a career among ODAC coaches by six. Moir and his father, Charlie, who coached the Maroons to the 1972 National Championship, combine for nearly 40% of the program wins in the 98-year history of Roanoke Basketball.
Virginia Wesleyan, the highest of three ranked teams in the ODAC, pulled away late in the second half to remain undefeated. The game was competitive throughout with nine lead changes, including seven in the first half and 56 fouls called, resulting in an astounding 87 free-throws.
VWC converted off 20 RC miscues, holding a 35-22 edge in points off turnovers. The difference came at the free-throw line, as Roanoke shot a dismal 57.1% (24-of-42) while the Marlins went 79.1% (34-43) at the charity stripe. The Maroons and Marlins fared well from the field, shooting 45.6% and 47.4%, respectively.
The Maroons held slight edges on paper in second chance points (17-14), points in the paint (32-30) bench scoring (38-36) and rebounding (39-37). The Marlins are the second-straight opponent the Maroons have faced that is either ranked or have received votes in the top-25.
Roanoke raced out to a 10-7 lead three minutes into play behind seven quick points from captain Matt Crizer (Covington, VA, Alleghany). VWC responded with an 8-0 run to take a 24-18 edge midway through the first period.
The Maroons ignited a 16-2 run of their own to regain the lead with just under seven minutes remaining. After two Ethan Humphries (Buchanan, VA, James River) free throws, the Maroons went into the locker room with a 48-44 advantage. Crizer paced Roanoke with 12 first half points.
The Marlins scored six quick points to take a 50-48 advantage just two minutes into the action. Tied at 58 with 15-minutes left, VWC went on a 9-2 run to take the lead for good. A Melvin Felix (Caguas, Puerto Rico, Salem) layup and a free throw by Humphries brought the Maroons within three, but that was as close as they would come. Virginia Wesleyan closed the game out by knocking down all six free throws down the stretch.
Felix led the Maroons, pouring in a game-high 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting for his seventh 20+ point game of the season. He is now only 11 points shy of 1,000 for his career. Crizer added 17 points and three rebounds, while Kwasi Amponsah (Woodbridge, VA, Garfield) chipped in 11 markers, three boards and three steals.
Corey Poindexter (Pulaski, VA, Pulaski County/Hargrave) came off the bench to contribute seven points, three assists, and two steals. Logan Singleton (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley) finished with eight points and a team-high five rebounds in just 11 minutes of action as he was plagued by foul trouble throughout.
Chris Teasley and Ed Roberts led four players in double-figures for the Maroons with 17 points each. Roberts knocked down 3-of-6 from behind the arc and 5-of-8 from the field. Chris Astorga added 16 points and five boards, while Donald Vaughn tossed in 13 markers and chipped in a game-high eight rebounds and six blocks.
Roanoke returns to action Wednesday January 19th as they play host to Randolph College. Tip-off is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start at the Bast Center.
