Gholson Sets New ODAC Tournament Blocks Record

Box Score

SALEM, Va. --- Caitlyn Long scored 11 of her 16 points in the first few minutes of the game to stake Roanoke to an early lead on its way to defeating Lynchburg College, 75-48, in the first quarterfinal of the 2009 ODAC Women's Basketball Tournament.  The Maroons improve to 23-3 on the season while the Hornets end their campaign with a 9-17 record.

Sophomore center Jordan Gholson controlled the paint throughout for Roanoke, coming away with 10 blocked shots to set a new ODAC Women's Basketball Tournament single-game record.  Bridgewater's Rebecca Henderson held the previous record of eight blocks from the 2008 tourney.

Long hit four of her first five shots including a trio of three pointers to stake Roanoke to an early 11-4 advantage.  The Maroons' lead hit double figures for the first time at the 15:19 mark of the first half when Gholson hit a jumper to put RC ahead, 15-4.

Powered by a 58.6-percent showing from the field, Roanoke's first half lead continued to grow throughout the frame.  It reached its apex at 26 points with 1:18 to go when Rebecca Bays connected on a jumper.  The two squads went into the half with RC leading, 45-22.

Roanoke carried its hot shooting into the second half, staying above the 50-percent plateau for the game.  Its lead eclipsed 30 points on several occasions throughout the stanza, reaching a game-high 32 points following Erin Jenkins three-point make with 12:09 to play for a 64-32 score.

Gholson led the Maroons with 17 points to go with 10 blocked shots marking her fourth double-double of the season.  She also had seven rebounds.  Long finished the day with 16 points, hitting 5-of-9 shots including 4-of-5 from deep.  She added six rebounds and four assists.  Jenkins notched 15 markers while Jaleesa Osborne added 12 points and five assists.

Lynchburg was led by Courtney Brewer's 12-point effort.  She hit 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and 5-of-9 total shots.  Kylie Lucas added nine points and a game-high eight rebounds.  Kristina Darby collected eight points and seven boards.

Roanoke moves on to play the winner of #4 Bridgewater and #5 Washington and Lee in the first semifinal contests on Saturday.  Game time is 1:00 p.m. in the Salem Civic Center.