Box Score VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - A buzzer beater three-point basket by junior Jessica Jennings helped push the Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball team past the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan College on Saturday afternoon at TowneBank Arena in Virginia Beach, VA. The Marlins garner their first win of the short season upending NCWC 65-62.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Virginia Wesleyan 65 - North Carolina Wesleyan 62
Records: Virginia Wesleyan 1-3 | North Carolina Wesleyan 2-3
Location: TowneBank Arena | Virginia Beach, VA

INSIDE THE SCORE
NC Wesleyan got on the board first scoring four points before the Marlins hit a three pointer courtesy of Bianca Atkinson. A jumper from Adaje Williams knotted the score at seven all but the Battling Bishops pulled ahead again 11-7 after a pair of free throws and a layup. Another layup from A. Williams pulled VWU within two, 11-9, but NCWC hit basket to go up by four, 13-9. The Marlins put up five points to take their first lead of the game 14-13, and the teams ended the first quarter with the score tied up at 15 all. 

VWU scored the fist basket of the second quarter but NC Wesleyan answered with seven consecutive points to take a five-point lead, 22-17. The Marlins cut the Battling Bishops lead to three points, 27-24, with 3:10 to play in the quarter but found themselves down seven at the half trailing 33-26 ad NCWC went on a 6-2 run to end the half. 

The Bishops maintained a five point lead throughout much of the third quarter and at one point lead by 10 points with the score sitting at 48-38 but the Marlins hung in the game and entered the final ten minute period down by seven, 50-43. 

NC Wesleyan went up by nine, 52-43, but back to back baskets by Va. Wesleyan cut the lead five points 52-47 with 8:16 to play. The Bishops went back up by seven, 56-49, but the Marlins fought back to knot the score at 56 points following a three pointer by Jessica Jennings. NCWC took the lead again 58-56 on a jumper but Jennings scored again tying the score. A layup by A. Williams gave the Marlins a 60-59 lead and their lead increased to 62-59 after a pair of Jennings free throws. The Battling Bishops tied the score at 62 all on a three pointer with six seconds left forcing the Marlins to call a timeout. VWU drew up on last play and put the ball in the hands of Jennings who clinched the win for Virginia Wesleyan with a good three pointer as the buzzer rung putting the final score at 65-62.

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by Jessica Jennings with 21 points while S'Zahria Jones collected 14 points and Adaje Williams added 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Celeste Rucker added eight points and six rebounds.

NORTH CAROLINA LEADERS
The Battling Bishops were led by Kayrisma Harrison with 22 points and a game high 12 rebounds. Kayla Johnson joined Harrison in double-figures with 15 points.

UP NEXT
The Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball team returns to action tomorrow Sunday, Nov. 21 when they conclude the 2021 TowneBank Tipoff Tournament against the Avenging Angels of Meredith College. Tipoff between the Marlins and the Avenging Angels at 4 PM in TowneBank Arena.