VIRGINIA BEACH -- A shot to tie the game with three seconds remaining in the game looked good as it left the hands of Virginia Wesleyan College junior Kerri Taylor.

But, Taylor (Stockport, England/The Hill School, Pa.) watched her three-pointer swirl around the rim and fly off as the buzzer sounded.  Shenandoah University's Hornets held on for a 59-56 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) victory, marking the first time in five attempts that a women's basketball team from the Winchester school has been able to defeat Virginia Wesleyan.

The Hornets (7-9, 4-3) took the win at VWC's Jane P. Batten Student Center on Thursday by coming up with key baskets throughout the second half to stay a step ahead of the Marlins (11-5, 5-2).  Imani Heggins (Chesapeake/Great Bridge) played the biggest role in helping SU to hold on for the win as she scored six points in the final 1:02 when Virginia Wesleyan was playing hard to get the ball.

Shenandoah led 53-47 with 2:03 remaining, but the Marlins applied pressure and forced three turnovers in the following seconds.  Brittany Glasco (Fredericksburg/Massaponax) and Taylor both made free throws to cut the lead to 53-50, and after a Hornets turnover, rookie Alexis Platt (Virginia Beach/Princess Anne) scored on a jumper to pull the Marlins within a 53-52 score.

Heggins scored to give SU a 55-52 edge, before Glasco rolled in on a layup to cut the score back to a point, 55-54 with 48 seconds showing.  The Marlins pressured the inbounds play on the ensuing Hornet possession and thought it paid off when SU's Holly Chittenden (Boyds, Md./Poolesville) lost control of the ball.  But, after Platt grabbed the loose ball for VWC, an official whistled traveling and possession returns to Shenandoah.

Heggins scored again to make it a three-point game, only to see Platt come through with another basket to pull VWC back within a point at 57-56.  But, after Heggins scored one more time with seven seconds remaining, the host Marlins moved down court quickly to get the trey they wanted, only to see it roll around the rim.

Virginia Wesleyan was its own worst foe in the game, playing one of its sloppiest game of the season, finishing with 25 turnovers, the second highest total of the season. The Marlins had 14 turnovers in the first half, helping Shenandoah to a 26-21 lead at the break.

Glasco led VWC with 18 points, hitting 7-of-11 shots overall.  Nancy Kelly (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) finished with 14 points and two blocks, and Platt produced a career-high nine points.

Taylor turned in a strong floor game for VWC, recording a career-high nine rebounds.  She also tied Katie Tassa (Bristow/Manassas Osbourn Parke) andCassie Conley (New Market/Stonewall Jackson) for game-high rebounding honors. All three Marlins pulled down six, helping VWC to a 37-23 advantage on the boards.

Chittendon led Shenandoah with 18 points, hitting 8-of-12 shots, and Heggins added 17 points, including 12 in the second half.

VWC will attempt to bounce back on Saturday, Jan. 25 when the Marlins play at Hollins University in an ODAC contest starting at 2 p.m.

--AMDG--