VIRGINIA BEACH -- Virginia Wesleyan College's women's basketball team combined an impressive three-point shooting display with a strong defensive effort Friday to post a 76-34 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over the visiting Wasps of Emory & Henry College.

Sophomore Rachael Miller (Sterling, Va./Park View) (left) knocked down a career-high five triples and senior Kristina Jameson (Harrisonburg, Va./Broadway) added four for the Marlins, who connected on 12-of-29 overall ... one shy of the program record for triples made in a game.

While the triples were helping Virginia Wesleyan (5-6, 3-3) to extend a lead on the Donald M. Forsyth Court at the Jane P. Batten Student Center, the Marlin defense played well enough to limit Emory & Henry (1-7, 0-5) to the lowest point total allowed by VWC so far this season.  The Wasps were forced into five consecutive turnovers to start the game, and VWC converted on all of the.  The Marlins led 15-0 before Courtney Brooks (Tazewell, Va./Tazewell) hit a jumper for E&H.

But, it was a night for the Marlins to get the offense back on track.  Plagued by cold shooting spells that contributed to recent losses and a three-game losing skid, the Marlins scored inside and out throughout the first half.  Virginia Wesleyan connected on nearly 52% from the field in the half, while Emory & Henry hit only 21%.  VWC led 46-12 at halftime.

When competition resumed in the second half, VWC head coach Stephany Dunmyer used the opportunity to utilize her bench.  Twelve Marlins played and took advantage of the time they were on the court, as all 12 scored.   Virginia Wesleyan enjoyed its largest lead t 66-21 with 6:25 remaining to be played, after a jumper by junior Shawnee Lewis (Alexandria, Va./Thomas A. Edison).

Kristen Blalock (Suffolk, Va./Portsmouth Christian) turned in another solid effort for the Marlins, scoring 15 points, pulling down six rebounds and swatting away a career-high four shots.  She also recorded three steals.

Miller finished with 15 points and three assists and Jameson finished with 12 points, helped by a 4-of-8 showing from three-point range.  Junior Jocelyn Spencer (Newport News, Va./Hampton Roads Academy) contributed with a game-high five assists, helping the Marlins to 19 assists overall.

Katilyn Harrison (High Point, N.C./Ragsdale) led Emory & Henry with 11 points, knocking down a pair of triples.  Jalan McPherson (Jonesville, Va./Lee) led all rebounding with 10.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Saturday, Jan. 8, hosting the Quakers of Guilford College at 4 p.m. in another ODAC contest.

--AMDG--