FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Chris Teasley's three-pointer from the left side with 3:05 remaining in Sunday's non-conference basketball game at Methodist University sparked an 8-0 run that put Virginia Wesleyan College's No. 12 Marlins en route to an 81-71victory. (Box score)

It was a key play for the Marlins (6-0), who also received a big play from sophomore Chris Astorga (Suffolk, Va./Virginia Beach Cape Henry)seconds later.  Astorga leaped high to tip in a missed free throw by junior Donald Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va./Dumfries Potomac)after a foul following a layup that gave the Marlins a 69-63 lead.  Astorga's effort also drew a foul and resulted in a three-point play that gave the Marlins a 72-63 lead with 2:33 remaining to be played at the March F. Riddle Center.

But, a hard-playing Methodist (0-6) squad got the lift it needed when Tanner Carnes nailed a triple at 2:24 to pull the Monarchs within a 72-66 score. That's as close as it would get for the host team the rest of the way however, as VWC closed out with a 9-5 scoring advantage to post the hard-fought win.

It was a satisfying win for VWC, which overcame some off-nights for key players, as well as an uncharacteristic 22 turnovers.  Methodist, which turned the ball over 25 times, still managed to stay within range of the Marlins by turning VWC miscues into points.

Carnes evoked a roar from the Methodist crowd after he drilled a three-pointer to cut into a Virginia Wesleyan lead midway through the second half .  But, VWC rookie DJ Woodmore (Virginia Beach/Landstown) silenced the crowd seconds later with a triple that restored the lead, giving the Marlins a 60-45 lead with 11:11 remaining in the game.

Methodist refused to fold and pulled back within a 64-60 score after Travis Fulp hit a triple with 4:44 on the clock.  A layup by Kyle Combs pulled the Monarchs with a 64-63 score at 3:37, before Teasley answered with the triple from the left that started VWC's final surge to its sixth victory of the season.

Teasley and Woodmore both scored 22 points for the Marlins, each connecting on 7-of-11 field goal attempts.  Astorga came through for 19 points, hitting 7-of-13 shots.  VWC helped itself with a solid effort at the free throw stripes, hitting 17-of-21, compared to 8-of-11 by Methodist.  Virginia Wesleyan also hit 12 triples, led by Woodmore with four and Teasley and Astorga with three each.

Carnes led Methodist scoring with 23 points, hitting 10-of-14 shots from the field.  Fulp finished with 14 points. 

VWC produced a slim 30-29 edge on the boards and recorded 15 steals, led by sophomore Tre' Ford with five.