SALEM, Va. --- Jordan Gholson and Caitlyn Long combined for 32 points as Roanoke held off Bridgewater, 60-54 at the Bast Center Tuesday evening. The Maroons improved to 12-2 overall, 8-2 in the ODAC while the Eagles dropped to 8-7, 6-4 in the conference.

 

The Maroons defense forced 33 Bridgewater turnovers which led to 18 steals and hit 40% from three-point range to improve to their best record since the 1996-97 season. Roanoke is now 54-28 all-time vs. Bridgewater and has won their eighth-straight against the Eagles.

 

Gholson had a team-high 18 points and hit 8-of-12 from the floor. Her 32 blocked shots this season move her into a tie for sixth in a single-season while her 77 career blocks put her in fifth all-time. Longhad 14 points, three assists, five steals and four rebounds to lead Roanoke to their fourth-straight win. Her three treys made her the sixth player in school-history with over 100 career three-pointers (101). She has scored in double-figures over the last six games.

 

The first stanza was back-and-forth with two ties and nine lead changes. Down 24-22 with just over three minutes left, Roanoke closed the first half with a 9-1 run to go up six, 31-25 at intermission.

 

Roanoke extended its lead in the second half to eight after a made three-pointers by Long and Virginia Anne Hagood to make it 39-31 at the 15-minute mark.

 

Bridgewater countered with an 8-0 run to tie the contest at 39-all after a made lay-up by Brittani Criss with 9:51 remaining. Jordan Burkholder scored the next eight points to give them their largest lead, 47-42 with 7:31 remaining as head coach Susan Dunagan called timeout.

 

Roanoke answered back and went on a quick 8-2 run to take the lead for good as Gholson hit two free-throws to give them a 50-49 lead with 4:12 remaining. Long scored seven of the next nine points for Roanoke as they outscored Bridgewater, 18-7 down the stretch to seal the win. 

 

Erin Jenkins finished with six points, eight rebounds and three steals. She is only three more three-pointers shy of entering the top-10 in that category. Jaleesa Osborne led the Maroons with five assists along with four steals. She is now only six assists shy of entering the top-10 in that category.

 

The Eagles were led by Jordan Burkholder with a game-high 24 points including 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. Rebecca Henderson finished with seven points and 11 rebounds. The Eagles out rebounded the Maroons, 38-21 and shot 50-percent from the floor.

 

The women will return to action on Jan. 24 at Guilford. The Maroons are 27-13 all-time against the Quakers and have won 11-straight meetings. Roanoke defeated GC, 69-60 at home on Nov. 24. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

 

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