For immediate release – 2/25/2016 - #312
Top-Seeded LC Women Roll to 73-51 Quarterfinal Victory over VWC

SALEM, VA – A dominating inside performance propelled the top-seeded Lynchburg College women's basketball team to a 73-51 victory Thursday afternoon over #9 Virginia Wesleyan College in the Quarterfinals of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship Tournament.

The Hornets used a 19-rebound edge (54-35) to control possession and sunk 24-of-27 free throws compared to just 8-of-13 from VWC.

The underdog Marlins came out strong in a rematch of last season's conference title game, opening an early 11-4 advantage. Lynchburg settled down to tie the score at 16 after one period and took a 37-26 lead at intermission. Sophomore forward Caroline Naumann collected a double-double by halftime with 13 points and 10 boards.

Senior forward Chaney Forbush came alive with 16 third-quarter points as LC extended a nine-point lead to 62-43 after three periods of play. The Hornets scored the first seven points of the fourth period to go ahead by 26 to advance in the single-elimination tournament.

Forbush finished with a game-high 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots, making 10-of-11 shots from the charity stripe. Naumann posted 17 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, and senior forward Sarah Coon had six points and 11 rebounds. Junior Sarah Coronel had a full line of nine points, six rebounds and six assists, while senior guard Sammi Goldsmith had six points, five assists and four caroms.

Kelly Jones led the Marlins (9-17) with 13 points, and Jayla Harris posted 12. Alexis Platt finished the game with 11 points and a team-best seven rebounds.   

Lynchburg (22-4) will play Saturday at 1 p.m. in the ODAC Semifinals against #4 Washington & Lee University. LC is on an eight-game winning streak.

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