Guilford Outrebounds Marlins to a 71-60 Victory

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. —The Virginia Wesleyan College men's basketball team took a three point lead into halftime, but Guilford College's dominance on the glass help lead the Quakers to a 71-60 victory in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action Wednesday night.

Wednesday night's game was also senior night for the Marlins where team captain and the lone senior Nick Doyle was honored. Even though he was considered out for the season due to a season-ending knee injury, he suited up and played a couple minutes in his last time playing at the convocation center, starting the game for Virginia Wesleyan before having the ball in his hands as the clock hit zero.

The first half was a very competitive one with neither team getting a lead of more than six points. With 1:13 left in the first half, Khalil Barnette would hit a three pointer to knot the game at 24. On the ensuing possession Guilford's Will Freeman would get fouled after one of the many offensive rebounds the Quakers would get on the night. He converted one out of two to put Guilford up by one. Tim Jones provided last second heroics as he knocked down a three pointer to put the Marlins up 29-27 as they entered the half.

The Marlins would start the scoring in the second half on a Khory Moore three pointer which put them up 32-27. However, at the 19:03 mark the Quakers would go on a 19-0 run, which was sparked by back-to-back layups from Dominique Henderson and Alston Thompson. The Marlins couldn't recover from this drought as the closest they got was within six the rest of the way. 

Guilford's control of the glass was the big factor tonight as they outrebounded the Marlins 52-29. What was particularly damaging was the offensive rebounding discrepancy, which was in the favor of the Quakers 23-5. 

The Quakers (15-9/10-5) were led by Zachary Houston who paced the team with 13 points, while corralling eight rebounds and four assists. Thompson posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Marlins were led by Moore's 20 points and six rebounds. Jones also poured in 19 points to go along with five rebounds. 

Virginia Wesleyan (17-7/12-3) travels to Lynchburg College (18-6/11-4) to close out their regular season schedule Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.