For immediate release - 1/2/2011 - #171
#3 Virginia Wesleyan Scores 65-55 Win at LC

LYNCHBURG, VA - The Hornets made them earn it Sunday afternoon. The third-ranked Virginia Wesleyan College men's basketball team remained unbeaten by pulling away late for a 65-55 victory at Lynchburg College in the first game of the New Year for both old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) squads.

The Marlins led 31-25 at halftime and looked to have the game in hand midway through the second half with a 52-38 advantage. But the Hornets used an 8-0 run behind five points from sophomore post-man Austin Chellemi (Richmond, VA/Trinity Episcopal) to crawl back to within six points with six minutes to play. The teams traded baskets until junior forward Nate Campbell (Cary, NC/Cary) and Chellemi hit back-to-back baskets in the paint to cut the edge to 57-53 with 2:19 left on the game clock. A Virginia Wesleyan three-pointer on the next possession extended the lead to seven and the Marlins sealed the win at the free-throw stripe.

Chellemi was a force on the inside for LC, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots. He went 8-for-11 from the free-throw line and got several Marlin big men in foul trouble. Campbell scored 17 points to tie for the game high and added eight defensive rebounds. Brandan Conner (Chesterfield, VA/Benedictine) hit three of his four shots and drilled Lynchburg's only three-pointer to finish with eight points.

DJ Woodmore paced VWC (12-0/3-0) with 17 points and added six caroms. Chris Teasley had 16 points and Tre' Ford tallied seven assists and five points.

Lynchburg (5-7/1-3 ODAC) travels to Bridgewater College for another conference game Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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