Posted: Jan 24, 2009
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Roanoke's hot shooting in the second half allowed the Maroons extend their three-point halftime lead and hold off Guilford, 75-65 in ODAC action Saturday afternoon in the Ragan-Brown Field House. Roanoke (13-2, 9-2 ODAC) completed a sweep of the season series with the Quakers (7-10, 6-6 ODAC).
Roanoke is now 44-24 against teams from North Carolina, 28 coming against Guilford. It's the third win this season over NC teams with Bennett coming Feb. 11. They also defeated Meredith, 61-32 on Nov. 21 at the Guilford Tip-Off Classic.
The first half saw a tight game with nine ties and five lead changes. While Guilford was ahead most of the first half, Roanoke took the lead into the intermission behind 12 first-half points by Caitlyn Long. The Maroons shot a dismal 31% from the floor and Jordan Gholson got into foul trouble which limited her to only three minutes in the half.
The lead remained at three six minutes into the second half before Roanoke went on a 14-4 run over the next five minutes and opened a commanding 63-46. The Maroons blistered the nets in the second half (55.6%) including 4-of-6 from three-point range.
Guilford would cut the Maroon lead down to six with 18 seconds left to play, but timely free-throw shooting by Roanoke sealed the game and their fifth-straight win. The Maroons are now 28-13 all-time against the Quakers, including the last five meetings.
Long finished with a season-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds to lead Roanoke for the first time this season. Erin Jenkins had 12 points, six rebounds and tied a career-best with six assists. Jaleesa Osborne notched 11 points to round out the double-digits scorers for the Maroons in addition to tying her career-high seven rebounds along with six assists.
Marcy Conner had five points and six rebounds in her first start of the season. Rebecca Bays finished with career-highs of six rebounds and five assists while Gholson chipped in eight points.
Osborne's moved into a tie for 10th all-time in career assists at Roanoke. She is also ranked eighth all-time in career steals with 174. Long's 105 career three-pointers rank her sixth while her 316 three-point attempts are three shy of passing Kay Caldwell '94 for sixth in that category. Gholson's 77 career blocked shots are ranked fifth while her 32 this season is tied with Crystal Wilson '94 for sixth. Jenkins is one three-pointer shy of entering the top-10 all-time in three-pointers made.
The Quakers were led by Tracey Croner who finish with a team high 14 points and seven rebounds. Anne Seufer and Lauren LeFevers added 11 and 10 points respectively.
The women return to the Bast Center on Tuesday, Jan. 27 to take on ODAC-rival Emory & Henry. The Maroons are 49-24 all-time against the Wasps, including three of the last four meetings. E&H defeated the Maroons, 66-57 in Emory in the last meeting. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
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