For immediate release – 1/23/2016 - #252
Va. Wesleyan Hangs on for 86-78 over Hornet Men

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Despite a career-high 28 points from Lynchburg College's Zack Burnett, the Virginia Wesleyan College men's basketball team defeated LC 86-78 Saturday in a battle of two of the top teams in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The Marlins improve to 7-1 in league play and sit alone at the top of the conference standings, while the Hornets fall to 5-3 and fourth place in the 10-team ODAC.

Burnett surpassed his previous best of 27 points by nailing 8 of 12 three-pointers, and also added a game-high seven rebounds.

The Hornets held a 26-21 lead with 6:13 left in the first half, but the Marlins closed the session on a 19-7 run to take a 40-33 edge into intermission.

VWC opened a 10-point lead early in the second half but after a 9-0 run, fueled by back-to back Burnett three-pointers, Lynchburg was behind by just one point (48-47). LC briefly held an advantage down the stretch and trailed 76-74 with just under three minutes to play. The Hornets went cold in the closing minutes, hitting just one of their last seven field-goal attempts and VWC capitalized to pull away for the win.

Burnett netted 22 of his points and six three pointers in the second half. Alex Graves scored 16 points and tied Burnett with seven boards before fouling out with 57 seconds left. Jay Allen came off the bench for 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals and Austen Arnold contributed eight points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Khory Moore poured in 22 for Va. Wesleyan (11-5), the pre-season #2-ranked team in Division III men's basketball. Justin Watson had 18 points, Kaelin Poe had 16 points and six rebounds and Tim Jones chipped in with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The Hornets (12-4) host Emory & Henry College (9-7/3-4 ODAC) Wednesday at 7 p.m. in another ODAC game.