DANVILLE, Va. -- Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins used one decisive span of play to leave host Averett University in the dust during Wednesday's non-conference men's basketball game.

In less than three minutes late into the game, rookie DJ Wood more (Virginia Beach/Landstown) and sophomores Tre' Ford (Falls Church, Va./J.E.B. Stuart) and Chris Astorga (Suffolk, Va./Virginia Beach Cape Henry) took control at both ends of the court to steer the No. 12 Marlins to a 68-59 victory at AU's Grant Center.

Woodmore, Ford and Astorga not only combined to score the points in a 14-3 run, but also complemented the scoring with timely steals and assists.  Their efforts included an electrifying 53- second spurt that produced eight points that give VWC its largest lead of the night at 59-42.

Astorga stole the ball with 6:39 on the clock and missed a  layup attempt, but Woodmore was there for the offensive rebound and a slamming dunk.  On VWC's next possession Woodmore ripped through a triple on an assist from Ford, who seconds later stole the ball and knocked home his own triple, off a feed from Woodmore.

VWC (2-0) led by 17 points and that drew a time out by Averett with 5:40 remaining in the game.  The Cougars (1-1) never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Back-to-back triples by Ford and Woodmore opened the scoring in the game for Virginia Wesleyan, which never trailed.  The Cougars tied the game at 13-all on a free throw by Marcus Lecounte, but Astorga hit a jumper seconds later to give VWC an advantage it never relinquished.  VWC led 26-20 at halftime and maintained a single-digit spread over the Cougars, who trailed 45-39 with 8:48 remaining.

That's when VWC started to create some breathing room as Woodmore, Ford and Astorga all scored to start the decisive 14-3 run. 

Woodmore scored 18 points to lead four Marlins in double-figure scoring.  He hit 7-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-6 from three point range.  Ford added 16 points, knocking down 6-of-8 shots, including 3-of-5 triples.  He also dished out a game-high six assists and had five steals.  Astorga finished with 11 points and junior Donald Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va./Potomac Dumfries) scored 10 points and led all rebounding with 12.

Victor Cortes (Hernando, Fla./Lecanto) led Averett with 26 points.  Marquis Scott (Ocala, Fla./West Port) added 18 points. 

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Friday, Nov. 19, taking on Delaware's Wesley College in the 6 p.m. game of the Roger Taylor Invitational hosted by North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, N.C.

FINAL BOX SCORE

--AMDG--