Box Score  WINCHESTER, Virginia - The Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball team defeated the Hornets of Shenandoah University 64-62 on Wednesday evening in an ODAC road contest in Winchester, VA. The Marlins move to 2-6 on the season and 1-4 against ODAC foes while Shenandoah falls to 3-4 and 2-3. 

INSIDE THE SCORE
The game began with the Marlins getting on the scoreboard first with a layup by Jessica Jennings 14 seconds into the game but Shenandoah responded scoring six straight points taking a 6-2 lead. A long two-pointer by S'Zahria Jones pulled the Marlins within two, trailing 6-4 with 7:28 to play, but the Hornets went on an 8-3 run taking a seven point lead, 14-7, over the next two minutes. The Marlins cut the lead to three, 14-11, after a pair of baskets from Danielle Lehner and Sabrina Jones, but the Hornets took a five point lead after SU converted a pair of free throws with 2:34 left in the opening quarter. VWU put two more points on the board courtesy of two Sabrina Jones free throws, but SU added four points of their own as time expired in the first with the score sitting at 20-13.

VWU started the second quarter with a 6-2 run in the opening minute closing the Hornets lead to three points, 22-19. It took three minutes for either team to find the next basket as Shenandoah connected on a layup with 6:10 remaining in the half. S'Zahria Jones put in a layup that again pulled VWU within three, 24-21, with 4:23 to play. The Hornets put in five quick points over the next minute and a half to lead 29-23, but the Marlins added four points in the final 2:49 to head into the break trailing by just two points, 29-27.

Shenandoah put four quick points on the board to start the third quarter but Virginia Wesleyan responded with four points of their own to pull back within two, 33-31 (6:54). The Hornets went on a 7-2 run in the next minute and a half to lead 40-33 with 4:14 left in the third. VWU went on their own 8-2 run cutting the SU lead to just one point, 42-41, as the clock ticked under a minute and a half to play. Two free throws made by Sabrina Jones were the last two points scored in the third sending VWU into the final ten minutes with a one-point lead 43-42.

The Hornets scored 10 unanswered points in the opening three minutes of the fourth quarter to lead 52-43 with 6:40 to play. Virginia Wesleyan countered with an 11-2 rally that saw Celeste Rucker convert a three-point play the old fashioned way, two Cayden Boyd three pointers, and a Sabrina Jones jumper the knot the score at 54 all with just under four minutes to play. Shenandoah took a two-point lead on a layup, 56-54, but back-to-back three-pointers for the Marlins from Bianca Atkinson and Jessica Jennings gave the visitors a 60-56 advantage with 2:35 remaining. The Hornets knotted the score at 62 all with just 18 seconds to play following a 6-2 run. VWU had the opportunity on a pair of free throws to take the lead but couldn't convert and SU grabbed the rebound. After a VWU rebound and timeout, the Marlins ran a play that had Jennings pass the ball into S'Zahria Jones who scored a layup with three seconds left to win the game 64-62. 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by S'Zahria Jones with 16 points, three steals, and the game-winning basket on her birthday. Senior Sabrina Jones was close behind with 14 points, while Adaje Williams joined the two Jones' in double-digits with 10 points. Jessica Jennings and Cayden Boyd both scored key three-point baskets en route to eight and six points respectively. Danielle Lehner led the Marlins with nine rebounds.

SHENANDOAH LEADERS
The Hornets were led by Sarah Sondrol with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Olivia Weinel and Ragan Johnson both added 14 points apiece. 

KEY MOMENT
The key moment came in the last three seconds as freshman S'Zahria Jones connected with the basket following the assist from Jessica Jennings just before the buzzer rang.

UP NEXT
The Virginia Wesleyan Marlins will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 20, when they host Randolph College at TowneBank Arena. Tip off is set for 2 PM between the WildCats and the Marlins. Per ODAC policies, no fans will be allowed in the game so fans can follow the game here.   VIDEO   |   STATS