HARRISONBURG, Va. --- Roanoke withstood several late comeback runs by Bridgewater to escape with a, 72-63 win in Nininger Hall on Tuesday evening. The win improves the Maroons record to 12-2, 9-1 in the ODAC. The Eagles dropped to 7-6, 5-5 in conference play.

 

Roanoke, which has won the last four meetings in Nininger Hall, has claimed nine of its last 10 meetings against Bridgewater. The Maroons shot a season-best 20-of-22 from the free throw line (90.9%) and outrebounded the Eagles, 40-32 in the ODAC victory.

 

Roanoke held the lead for most of the first half. A Caitlyn Long (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring)three-pointer from Kendra Porter (Jamestown, NC, Dudley)gave the Maroons a 20-15 lead with 9:04 remaining. Jordan Burkholder scored a three-pointer and a layup to cap an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take a four-point lead.

 

Nicci Moats (Blue Ridge, VA, Lord Botetourt)scored on four free throws and Jaleesa Osborne (Ordinary, VA, Gloucester)hit a mid-range jumper to give Roanoke a 28-26 lead with 3:33 remaining.

 

Kristen Bosserman led the Eagles on an 8-0 run to take a 34-30 lead with just a minute before the half. Porter connected on a three pointer to cut the Eagles lead to one at the half.

 

Roanoke came out firing to open the second half, scoring 13 of the first 16 points to take a 46-37 lead as BC's Jean Willi called timeout with 16:01 remaining.

 

Bridgewater answered with six-straight points to cut it to three. But Roanoke countered with a 10-2 run to make it, 56-45 with 11:29 left. The Eagles scored nine unanswered points to cut it to within two, but the Maroons scored the next seven to make it 63-54 at the four-minute mark.

 

In a game filled with runs, BC answered back on an 11-2 run to cut its deficit to within two with 1:41 remaining.

 

Gholson came up big for the Maroons at the end, scoring a layup to put them up four. On the defensive end, she blocked a three-point attempt by Burkholder as the Maroons controlled possession.  Roanoke sank the final six free throws to keep the Eagles at bay and secure its 12^th victory of the season.

 

Moats had arguably her best game of the season-to-date, recording her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also blocked a season-best four shots and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

 

Gholson had 14 points and shot 7-of-12 from the floor tonight. She blocked three shots to move up to eighth in single-season blocks at Roanoke. She currently has 33 on the season. Osborne tossed in 11 counters along with six rebounds and four assists. She passed Marcy Hufton '96 for fifth on the all-time assists list.

 

Long finished with 13 points including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and 4-of-4 from the line. She also pulled down five rebounds in the win. Porter scored 12 points, 7-of-8 from the charity stripe, with three rebounds and three assists. 

 

Burkholder led Bridgewater with 18 points, 2-of-3 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the line. She also pulled down six rebounds.  Bosserman finished with 11 points as both Katelyn Hottinger and Lacey Barnett chipped in 10 counters.

 

The women return to action on Saturday as they host Guilford in ODAC play. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

 

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