For immediate release – 1/2/2013 - #204
Bridgewater Women Rally for 52-50 win over LC

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Bridgewater College women's basketball team erased a late nine-point deficit to post a 52-50 victory over Lynchburg College Wednesday evening in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play. The loss snaps a five-game winning streak for the Hornets, going undefeated in December.

LC led 22-20 at halftime, but the Eagles opened a 26-24 edge after a basket by Shannan Thorne. The Hornets out-scored their guests 16-5 over the next seven minutes to take a 40-31 lead midway through the second half. The BC defense allowed just 10 points the rest of the way, while slowly cutting into the lead. LC still had a 43-37 edge at the 8:22 mark, but an 11-0 Eagle run opened up a five-point lead. Hornet sophomore Shannon Allan drilled a three-pointer and scored on a lay-up to tie the game, but Bridgewater's Jessi Strom hit a three-pointer with 2:20 left to put the Eagles up for good. Lynchburg had two good chances to score in the closing seconds but could not convert. Strom scored the last seven Bridgewater points.

The Hornets enjoyed a huge 56-36 rebounding advantage, including 29 boards on the offensive end. The Bridgewater defense forced LC into just 29 percent (23-80) shooting from the floor, including a 2-for-18 mark (11%) from beyond the three-point arc.

Allan led all scorers with 18 points, and added eight rebounds. Sophomore Lauren Penley had 12 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots, while freshman Sarah Coon had six points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Freshman Sammi Goldsmith had four points, five rebounds and five steals.   

Strom and Jessica Mullen each had 13 points for the Eagles (3-5/2-1 ODAC). Katelynn Hottinger had 10 points, three blocked shots and three rebounds.

The Hornets (7-4/2-1 ODAC) travel to Washington & Lee University Saturday at 4 p.m. for more ODAC play.

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