SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke outscored Virginia Wesleyan, 35-19 in the second half in a 63-47 win at the Bast Center on Sunday afternoon. The Maroons improved to 20-2 overall, 17-1 in the ODAC. The Marlins dropped to 13-10, 10-8 in conference play.

 

The win clinched both Roanoke's second-straight ODAC regular season title and a #1 seed in the ODAC Tournament. It was another milestone victory for Susan Dunagan and her program. The second-straight 20-win season for the 29-year coaching legend is the 16^th in her career and 17^th in school-history. The 43-6 two-year mark is the best record since going 52-6 (89.7%) from 1990-91 to 1991-92.

 

The win was the fourth-straight and the fifth in the last six meetings over Virginia Wesleyan. The Maroons are now 38-17 in the series against the Marlins, dating back to 1979-80. Roanoke, now 4-0 in the month of February, clinched the best home record since the 1999-00 season with a 10-1 mark with one home event left.

 

Roanoke shot 45.1% for the game, including 50% in the second half. The nation's 14^th ranked defense held the Marlins to 26.7% shooting, 19.4% in the second half and 47 points. The 17 forced turnovers by the Maroons led to 21 points. The post presence outscored its opposition, 36-12 in the paint and outrebounded them, 38-33.

 

A strong 15-5 start by Roanoke slowly was wiped away with a 19-9 run by Virginia Wesleyan to tie the contest at 24-all with 2:53 remaining in the first half. Both teams traded buckets the rest of the way as the score remained tied, 28-28 at the half.

 

Only up by two with 16:45 left, Roanoke used a 15-3 run over the next eight minutes to take a 14-point lead, 51-37. The lead grew to as much as 19 towards the end as the Maroons cruised to its sixth win in seven games by 14-points or more.

 

Nicci Moats (Blue Ridge, VA, Lord Botetourt)posted career-highs of 20 points and five steals to go along with eight rebounds. She shot 8-for-13 from the floor, including 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Her blocked shot today moved her up to 37 on the season, ranked eighth on the single-season list at Roanoke. She has scored in double-figures for the third time in four games.

 

Jordan Gholson (Louisa, VA, Louisa County)had 16 points, shooting 7-for-8 from the floor, with eight rebounds and two blocked shots. It's her eighth game this season with at least 15 points or more. Her 160 career blocked shots are a school-record and is two shy of tying Caroline Wesley (Lynchburg) for fourth in ODAC-History. Her 48 blocked shots this season is second on the single-season list. She currently holds the 1-2-3 spots on that list over her career. She set the freshman blocks record at Roanoke with 45, followed by the single-season mark of 67 last season.

 

Caitlyn Long (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring)finished with nine points, going 4-for-4 from the line and dished out a season-best seven assists. She passed both Donna Cogar (Stuarts Draft, VA, Stuarts Draft)'92 and Amy Athey (Roanoke, VA, Cave Springs Hs)'97 for 11^th on the career scoring list with 1,109 points. She needs 12 points to pass Katrina Williams (Salem, VA, Glenvar)'03 for 10^th all-time. With 223 career free throws made, she needs three more to become 10^th on the all-time list.

 

Jaleesa Osborne (Ordinary, VA, Gloucester)added seven points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals to pace the Maroons. She is now tied with Lesley Secrist (Buena Vista, Va, Parry McCluer HS)'85 for third on the career assists list (352). 

 

Maggie Davis finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Marlins. Beth Ann Boyce and Tonia Jones each chipped in nine counters.

 

The women will return to action this weekend with their final two regular season contests. They travel to Washington & Lee Friday and then back to the Bast Center for senior night against Eastern Mennonite. It will be the final home game for seniors Caitlyn Long, Jaleesa Osborne and Lindsay Skaff. Tip-off for both games will be at 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

 

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