SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke outscored Lynchburg 39-8 in the second half en route to a 78-41 win over Lynchburg in ODAC action Tuesday evening. The Maroons improved to 8-1, 5-0 in the ODAC while the Hornets dropped to 2-8, 1-5 in conference play.

 

Up only six at the half, 39-33, Roanoke held Lynchburg to a mere eight points in the second half, shooting a dismal 3-of-26 from the floor (11.5%). Back-to-back conventional three-point plays by Nicci Moats (Blue Ridge, VA, Lord Botetourt)and Rebecca Bays (Roanoke, VA, William Byrd)increased its lead to 12 and were never threatened again in the contest. 

 

The Maroons, ranked nationally in field goal percentage defense (27th), scoring defense (15th), scoring margin (31st), held their opponent to a mere 22.6% from the floor, 41 points, including eight in the second half and won by 37 points. Roanoke is now winners in 12 of the last 13 meetings against the Hornets.

 

The Maroons dominated in the paint, outscoring the Hornets, 34-12 including a 20-2 advantage in second chance scoring. Roanoke also scored 24 points off 24 LC turnovers and outscored their opponent, 25-9 off the bench led by Kylie Lucas (Verona, VA, Fort Defiance)seven points along with three rebounds against her former team.

 

Roanoke built a 12-point first half lead with 2:10 remaining before Lynchburg fought their way back in the game just before the half. After a made three-pointer by Caitlyn Long (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring) from Jaleesa Osborne (Ordinary, VA, Gloucester)made it 39-27, Chevonne Booker scored four of the Hornets final six points to close to within six, 39-33 at halftime.

 

After a three-pointer by Lynchburg's Annie Terry cut its deficit to nine, 47-38, the Maroons exploded with a 19-0 run over the next 10 minutes of play. The Maroons scored the final 12 points of the contest and sealed its fourth-straight win by 33 points or more.

 

Gholson led Roanoke with 15 points, 6-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the line. She also had six rebounds and a game-high four blocked shots. She enters this weekend needing 10 more blocked shots to tie the school-record held by Megan Harrigan (Fairport, NY, Fairport)'99 with 140. 

 

Long chipped in 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting with four rebounds and three assists. She passed Cindy McGraw (Lynchburg, VA, EC Glass)'07 for fourth on both the career three-pointers made (146) and attempted (427) lists. She enters this weekend needing only 44 points to become the 15^th player at Roanoke to eclipse 1,000 career points.  

 

Moats added 11 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Maroons for the fifth time this season. Osborne had seven makers along with team-highs of five assists and five steals. She passed Katrina Williams (Salem, VA, Glenvar)'03 for third all-time in steals with 231. She enters this weekend with 313 career assists, 13 behind Marcee Hufton (Roanoke, VA, William Byrd HS)'96 for fifth all-time.

 

Lynchburg was paced by Booker with 13 points, including 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Tamara Snead scored seven points and had a game-high 14 rebounds to lead the Hornets.

 

The women will travel to both Randolph-Macon and Virginia Wesleyan this weekend in a big ODAC road trip. The Maroons will square off against the Yellow Jackets in Ashland, Va. in Crenshaw Gym Friday at 7 p.m. They will play the Marlins at the Batten Center on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m.

 

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