VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - Celeste Rucker and
Bianca Atkinson were recognized prior to the start of the contest against Lynchburg on senior day. Despite valiant efforts, the Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball team fell to the Hornets from the University of Lynchburg 66-65 on Saturday afternoon at TowneBank Arena in Virginia Beach, VA.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Lynchburg 66 - Virginia Wesleyan 65
Records: Virginia Wesleyan 3-22, 0-18 | Lynchburg 15-10, 11-7
Location: TowneBank Arena | Virginia Beach, VA
INSIDE THE SCORE
The Hornets got out to an early start taking a 13-2 lead over the Marlins by the 3:48 mark. Virginia Wesleyan fought back in the final three and a half minutes to take a 17-14 lead into the second quarter following a 15-1 rally that closed out the first quarter.
Celeste Rucker hit a three pointer to put VWU up 20-16 early in the second quarter, but Lynchburg rallied back tying the score at 20 all and continuing on their 16 point run taking a 32-22 with 2:16 left in the half. The Marlins added five points to their score in the final minutes of the quarter heading into the break trailing by five, 32-27.
Virginia Wesleyan came out of the break to pull within three points, 34-31, with 8:54 left in the third quarter. The Hornets pulled back ahead by seven, 40-33, but the Marlins went on a 15-8 run that knotted the score at 48 all with two minutes on the clock. Lynchburg closed out the quarter on a 4-2 run taking a 54-50 lead into the final ten minute period.
The Marlins kept fighting in the fourth quarter and evened out the score at 59 all by the 6:24 mark and went on to take a 63-39 lead as the clock ticked under five minutes. The Hornets responded by tying the score at 63 all by the four minute mark and went up 65-63 with 3:28 to play. A pair of free throws by
Nat Collier knotted the score at 65 all with 2:37 to play. Neither team scored again until Lynchburg connected on a free throw with 37 seconds left which was just enough to clinch the win over the Marlins.
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by
Adaje Williams with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Nat Collier recorded a career-high 14 points and five assists while
Celeste Rucker contributed 13 points and five assists.
LYNCHBURG LEADERS
The Hornets were led by Lizzie Davis with 23 points. Erin Green added 15 points and 10 rebounds while Olivia Harris contributed 13 points.
UP NEXT
The Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball season comes to a close with an overall record of 3-22. The Marlins will return next season for more VWU women's basketball action.
