Box Score VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball defeated the Mustangs of Mid-Atlantic Christian University 69-49 on Thursday evening at TowneBank Arena in Virginia Beach, VA. The Marlins were led by Nat Collier and Asante Brown with 10 points apiece.

INSIDE THE SCORE
Score: Virginia Wesleyan - Mid-Atlantic Christian
Records: Virginia Wesleyan 5-7 | Mid-Atlantic Christian 4-6
Location: TowneBank Arena | Virginia Beach, VA

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Marlins took the early 4-0 lead to start the game but the Mustangs caught up to the Marlins at four all around the 6:30 mark. Both teams scored seven points in the remaining minutes of the first quarter as but teams entered the second quarter tied at 11 apiece.

Virginia Wesleyan pulled ahead by seven points, 19-12, by the 6:41 mark of the second quarter, but Mid-Atlantic Christian battled with VWU to remain within a few baskets, trailing by six (25-19) with three and a half minutes until the halftime break. The Marlins scored eight points to close out the opening half of action while the Mustangs added five to their tally putting the score at 33-24 at the horn. 

VWU used the third quarter to really put a gap between them and MACU as the Marlins scored 18 points while holding the Mustangs to 12. Nat Collier scored eight of her ten points in the third quarter. After the third period came to an end, Virginia Wesleyan led by 13 points, 51-38, with only ten more minutes to play.

The Marlins opened the fourth quarter with six consecutive points going up by 19, 57-38 with 7:34 to play. Mid-Atlantic Christian cut the Virginia Wesleyan advantage to 15 points, but VWU extended its lead to 20 points, 64-44, following a three-pointer from Lenah Clements and a fast-break layup from Collier at the three-minute mark. Another three by Clements put the Marlins up by 23, 69-46, with under two to play as the Mustangs scored the final three points of the contest putting the final score at 69-49 in favor of the Marlins. 

KEY STATS
The Marlins were led by Nat Collier and Asante Brown with 10 points apiece. Adaje Williams added nine points in nine minutes played. First-year Sydnee Washington tallied eight points and 10 rebounds to lead the Marlins on the boards. Another first-year, Sariya Monroe, scored seven points and added nine rebounds in the contest. The win for the Marlins snaps a five-game streak of hard-fought close losses.

UP NEXT
The Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball team returns to action on Thursday, Dec. 29, when they travel to Rocky Mount, NC, to face the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan University in the "Battle of the Wesleyan's". The tipoff time is set for 3 PM.