SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke's second-half surge fell just short as the Maroons were defeated, 52-49, by Virginia Wesleyan in the ODAC Semifinals on Saturday afternoon. The women fall to 23-3 on the season while the Marlins (17-10) advance to the ODAC Championship game.

 

With the loss the Maroons are now 7-2 against the Marlins in the ODAC Tournament, dropping the last two by three points. In the second-lowest scoring output of the season, Roanoke is 2-3 when scoring 55-points or less.

 

The Maroons, who fell in the ODAC Semifinals for the sixth-straight year, are 25-3 as a #1 seed in the ODAC Tournament. It was their first loss in February (7-1) and snapped a 15-game win streak. 

 

Down 18 with 12:59 left in regulation, Roanoke came alive, bursting out a 21-4 run over the next nine minutes to cut it to one. Kendra Porter (Jamestown, NC, Dudley)and Bethany Holland (Fincastle, Va, Buffalo Gap)came off the bench to provide the spark the Maroons needed, combining for 10 points over that span.

 

Caitlyn Long (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring)two free-throws with :51 seconds left cut it to, 49-48. The Maroons had opportunities to win the game in the waning seconds, but a layup and a three-point attempt fell short to end their 15-game win streak.

 

Nicci Moats (Blue Ridge, VA, Lord Botetourt)finished with her fifth double-double of the season, 12 points and 10 rebounds. Porter added nine counters while Jaleesa Osborne (Ordinary, VA, Gloucester)led Roanoke with three steals. Long chipped in six points with six rebounds as Rebecca Bays (Roanoke, VA, William Byrd)had seven points and a three assists.

 

Tonia Jones led Virginia Wesleyan with 13 points and four rebounds.  Kristen Blalock had 12 points and five boards while Jocelyn Spencer tossed in 11 in addition to six caroms and four assists. Maggie Davis pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds.

 

VWC shot 42.4% from the floor, including 7-of-14 from three-point range in the first half to build a 16-point halftime advantage. It was the largest halftime deficit of the season for Roanoke. The Maroons shot 36.5% for the afternoon, but held the Marlins to 20% overall and didn't allow a three-pointer (0-for-10) in the second stanza. It's the first time this season the Maroons fell to a team that had a lower field goal percentage (19-1), as the Marlins shot 32.8% for the game.

 

Roanoke was outrebounded for only the second time in 11 games, 44-33 and were held to a season-low six assists. The Maroons outscored the Marlins, 32-12 in the paint.

 

The women will have to wait until Monday to determine their post-season fate. The NCAA Div. III Selection Show will air at noon via webcast at www.ncaa.com.