The Basics
Score: Roanoke 57 | Lynchburg 63 (OT)
Records: Maroons 8-2 / 5-2 ODAC | Hornets 6-1 / 5-1 ODAC
Location: Salem, Va.
The Lead: Roanoke College played host to Lynchburg on Wednesday night. The game with the Hornets was originally scheduled for February 18th but had to be moved due to weather. In the battle of one loss Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) teams, the Hornets raced out to a big early lead. Twice the Maroons would mount rallies and with less than a minute to go, tied the game at 55-55, forcing overtime. Roanoke took their first lead of the night, 57-56, but would not score again as the Hornets escaped Salem with a 63-57 win.
How it Happened:
- Lynchburg jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the opening minutes and would hold an 18-5 advantage after the first period of play.
- Sayre Brandstatter hit a three-pointer to start the second frame to get the Maroons off to a much better start.
- Three straight points by Whitney Hopson and a Rose Sande triple got Roanoke right back into the game, 22-16, with just over six minutes to play before the half.
- However, the Hornets would push the lead back to 10 before Lizzie Davis hit a three pointer at the buzzer to give Lynchburg a 36-23 advantage at the break.
- During the first five minutes of the second half, Roanoke was only able to cut the deficit by two. With 5:42 to play in the third quarter, Kristina Harrel hit two free throws to spark a Roanoke rally.
- Sande added another three-pointer before JaBryah Haverkamp free throws cut the deficit to four. Lynchburg would surge ahead but Hopson scored in transition and added one of two from the line to get Roanoke to within three points, 42-39.
- The Hornets would net the final points of the frame and take a 45-39 edge into the final period of play.
- Another 10-0 Lynchburg run would give the visitors their largest lead of the night, 14, with just over seven minutes to play.
- After a Maroon timeout and trailing 55-41, RC started a rally that would see them hold the Hornets scoreless the rest of regulation. Brandstatter and Hopson would score quickly to close to within 10.
- Sande added her third long rage shot of the night and another Hopson transition hoop forced a Lynchburg timeout. Harrel added two free throws and Hopson would cut it to a single point with 50 seconds left to play.
- Harrel got fouled and hit one of two to tie the game and force overtime.
- In the extra frame Roanoke would take their first lead of the night when Harrel got a defensive board and sent the ball to Renee Alquiza who made a no look pass to Hopson for a layup.
- The lead would be short lived as Lynchburg hit a free throw to tie it at 57-57 with a minute and a half to play. The Hornets missed the second free throw but Abby Oguich secured the offensive rebound and scored while being fouled for a three point play.
- RC would not score again as Lynchburg would hold on for the overtime win.
- Hopson scored 16 points to go with four assists and seven steals. Harrel added 12 points with Alquiza grabbing 11 rebounds.
- Davis led the Hornets with 16 while Oguich netter 14 and 10 boards.
Up next: Roanoke will now wait to see where they land when the seeding for the 2021 ODAC Women's Basketball Tournament is released over the weekend.
