Box Score SALEM, Virginia - The Virginia Wesleyan University men's basketball team completed one of the most challenging feats in sports on Thursday evening in the quarterfinals of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship tournament at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, VA. The Marlins defeated the Hornets from the University of Lynchburg for the third time in the same season 65-52 behind double-digit performances from five players. 

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Virginia Wesleyan 65 - Lynchburg 52
Records: Virginia Wesleyan 17-9, 12-4 | Lynchburg 14-12, 8-8
Location: Salem, VA | Salem Civic Center

INSIDE THE SCORE
After Lynchburg scored the opening basket of the game, the Marlins went on an 11-0 run that included back-to-back three pointers one each from Jordan Crump and Corey Pelham. The Hornets added a trio of points on a jumper and free throw putting the score at 11-5 with 14:28 remaining in the opening half. Over the next nine minutes, the Marlins held the Hornets just three points while scoring 14 of their own putting VWU ahead 25-8. Lynchburg's Carrington Young ended the Hornets drought with five consecutive points cutting the lead to 12 points, 25-13 with 4:06 left on the clock. In the final four minutes of the half, Virginia Wesleyan went on a 15-3 run heading into the halftime break with a 24-point lead, the score sitting at 40-16.

After opening the second half with a three pointer from Pelham, Lynchburg chipped away at Virginia Wesleyan's lead pulling within 17 points, 43-26, as the clock hit 15:27. A layup by Tim Fisher at the 8:41 mark gave the Marlins a 19 point lead, 57-38, but the Hornets did not back down as they cut VWU's lead to only nine points, 59-50, following a 12-2 rally, with two minutes to play. Anthony Jackson hit a jump shot with 1:54 putting the spread back in double digits, 61-50, and the Marlins held off the Hornets in the last minute to win 65-52 and advance to the semifinal contest on Saturday against Guilford. 

MARLIN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by Jordan Crump with 14 points with Tim Fisher on his heels adding 13 of his own. Omari Deveaux tallied 12 points while Corey Pelham and Anthony Jackson were close behind with 11 points each as five of the eight Marlins scored in double-digit figures. Fisher led the team with 10 rebounds with Eric Rowland adding nine and Kelvin Nicholson contributing six.

As a team the Marlins shot 45.5% from behind the three point arch connection 10 of 22 shots while going 9 of 12 from the charity stripe. VWU collected 42 rebounds, dished out 14 assists, served up seven blocks and tallied nine steals. 

HORNETS LEADERS
The Hornets were led by Tharon Suggs with 18 points, while Miles Taylor added 14. Dow Dunton lead all players with 14 rebounds. 

UP NEXT
The Marlins return to the court this Saturday, Feb. 26, for the ODAC Semifinal round. No. 3 seeded VWU will face the No. 2 seeded Quakers of Guilford College for just the second time this season at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, VA. Tip off between the Marlins and Quakers is set for 3 PM. 

Fans can purchase tickets HERE.

2022 ODAC MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS AND SCHEDULE - LIVE BRACKET

Quarterfinals | Thursday, February 24 | at Salem Civic Center
Game 3: #1 Randolph-Macon def. #9 Bridgewater, 80-56
Game 4: #5 Roanoke def. #4 Washington and Lee, 82-69
Game 5: #2 Guilford def. #8 Hampden-Sydney, 77-69
Game 6: #3 Virginia Wesleyan def. #6 Lynchburg, 65-52

Semifinals | Saturday, February 26 | at Salem Civic Center
Game 7: #1 Randolph-Macon vs. #5 Roanoke | 1:00 p.m. ET
Game 8: #2 Guilford vs. #3 Virginia Wesleyan | 3:00 p.m. ET

Championship | Sunday, February 27 | at Salem Civic Center
Game 9: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 | 1:00 p.m. ET