HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball escaped Harrisonburg with a win, downing Eastern Mennonite by a score of 53-51 Tuesday evening. After starting the season 1-4 in ODAC play, the Marlins are now 5-4 in the conference and 8-10 overall. Eastern Mennonite drops to 10-7 on the year (5-4 ODAC).

It was an extremely close game, with 10 lead changes and six ties throughout the course of the contest. It came down to the final minute of regulation as the Marlins' Raya Berkley and Naeemah Morris took control. At the 1:19 mark, down 46-47, Berkley collected an offensive board and put it back up to give VWU a one-point advantage. On the ensuing position, Morris blocked a Royal lay up and Berkley took it the other way, sinking a lay up and getting fouled in the process. She would miss the free throw, but Morris scooped the offensive board and slipped a pass back to Berkley for her sixth point in just 51 seconds.

The Royals played the foul game with just thirty ticks on the clock and, due to some troubled shooting at the line for the Marlins, pulled within one possession. A desperation shot at the buzzer though would not fall, giving Virginia Wesleyan its fourth win in as many games.

A major contribution to the win came underneath the hoop as the Marlins held a +11 reobunding differential, notching a season-high 47 boards and a season-high 21 on the offensive glass. Reagan Holmes led the squad collecting a career-high eight caroms. Also aiding in the process was Jada Lewis (7) and Mak McSweeney (6).

Offensively, Jayla Harris recorded 12 points, while Amanda Gerni came away with 10.

Women's basketball returns to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday as the Marlins welcome Hollins to the Jane P. Batten Student Center.