Posted: Feb 26, 2009
SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke jumped out to a 45-22 halftime lead and never looked back in a 75-48 win over Lynchburg at the Salem Civic Center in the ODAC Quarterfinals. The win advances the Maroons to the semifinal round against Bridgewater. The Hornets end their season at 9-17 while the women improved to 23-3.
Jordan Gholson was the highlight of the afternoon, as she nearly pulled off the first triple-double in women's basketball history at Roanoke with 17 points, an ODAC Tournament single-game record 10 blocked shots and seven rebounds. The school's single-season shot block leader (63) also set the career mark at Roanoke with 108 for her career. She needs only two more blocks to become the ODAC Tournament's record holder for blocks in a single conference tournament.
Roanoke 50.9% from the floor, including 58.6% in the first half along with 9-of-17 from three-point range and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. Defensively, the Maroons held the Hornets to a mere 26.7% from the field and 4-of-18 from beyond the arc.
The Maroons were out-rebounded 47-38 and Lynchburg held a 25-6 second chance point advantage, but Roanoke scored 22 points off of 12 Hornet turnovers, 10-0 in fast break points and 30-22 in points in the paint. It was the second-straight game and the fourth time this season the Maroons have had over 20 assists, including 24 today. The 13 blocked shots are the most in school-history.
Caitlyn Long provided the fireworks early in the first half as she outscored the entire Lynchburg squad in the first four minutes of the game as the score was Long – 11, Lynchburg – 4 with 16:11 remaining in the half.
With the score 33-17 with 5:48 left to play in the first half, Rebecca Bays led the Maroons on a 12-2 run over the next four minutes. Her layup with 1:18 remaining gave her team a comfortable, 45-19 advantage. Chevonne Booker's three-pointer as time expired made it 45-22 at halftime.
The Maroons had four players score in double-figures, including Long with 16, all in the first half. She shot 4-of-5 from downtown and contributed six rebounds and four assists in the win. She is now fifth all-time in career three-pointers (132) and seventh in single-season treys made (54).
Erin Jenkins had 15 points, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc on the afternoon. She needs two more three's to pass Kay Caldwell '92 for seventh all-time at Roanoke (91). Jaleesa Osborne chipped in 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Osborne became the 13th player in Roanoke history to eclipse 100 assists in a season. Bays had a strong performance with seven points and a career-high eight assists.
The Hornets was led by Courtney Brewer with 12 points and four rebounds while Kristina Darby finished with eight points and seven rebounds. Kylie Lucas also had nine points and eight rebounds to pace Lynchburg.
The women will play Bridgewater in the ODAC Semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. The Maroons swept the Eagles this season and holds a 54-28 all-time and have won the last seven meetings.
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