Posted: Feb 24, 2011
SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke scored 16 unanswered points in a span of six minutes and went on to defeat the Marlins, 70-49 in the ODAC Quarterfinals Thursday evening at the Salem Civic Center. The Maroons advance to the semifinal round with an 18-7 record, while VWC's season ends with a 12-14 mark.
Nicci Moats was the story of the night, as the first-team All-ODAC performer finished with 22 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead Roanoke. It was her 14th double-double of the year, scoring over 20 points for the eighth time this season.
Her rebounding total was the fifth-highest total in a single-game at Roanoke. Moats' 286 rebounds this season moves her into second on the single-season list at Roanoke, just 16 shy of breaking the school-record. She also moved into 15th on the career rebounding list (480).
The Maroons out-rebounded the Marlins, 58-40 which led to a 22 second chance points and 48 points in the paint. The dynamic frontcourt duo of Moats and Jordan Gholson combined for 37 points and 29 rebounds.
VWC came out to an early, 8-7 lead within the first six-minutes of play. Then Roanoke went on a 15-2 run to take a 22-10 lead with 8:41 remaining in the half.
The Marlins countered with a 15-4 run to cut their deficit to one, 26-25 with 2:57 left before halftime. Roanoke, however, went onto score 16 unanswered points carrying over into the second half and build their lead to 17 at the 15:59 mark in the second stanza.
VWC came within 14 twice, but the Maroons proved to be too much for the Marlins, as RC led by as much as 24 with three minutes left and coasted to victory. The win avenged last seasons' loss to the Marlins in the ODAC Semifinals.
Gholson finished with her third double-double this winter with 15 points and 11 boards to go along with two blocks. She trails former teammate Caitlyn Long '10 by only eight points to move into ninth on the career scoring list at Roanoke (1,183 pts).
Rebecca Bays had 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bays, who now has 101 assists this season, is two assists shy of moving into seventh on the career list at Roanoke (260).
