Lady Eagles Extend Winning Streak to Four

Bridgewater College Women’s Basketball Team Defeats Virginia Wesleyan

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Evan Maxey

The Bridgewater College Eagles huddle up in the second half of play during a timeout. In the second half, BC scored 52 points.

Evan Maxey, Staff Writer

Bridgewater, Va. – The Eagles got off to a fast start and never looked back in their 92-63 route of Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday night. With the win, the Eagles moved to 4-0, both overall and in the ODAC, while the Marlins fell to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

BC caught fire early from behind the arc with back-to-back three pointers from sophomore guard Mary Ruth Shifflett and senior guard Ahlia Moone. 

BC’s defense would end up being the story of the night, forcing nineteen first half turnovers. 

With 4:53 left in the first quarter, the Eagles ran a full court press, which led to a successful trap and points in transition to go up 16-6 on the visiting Marlins. The ladies of Bridgewater College would end the first quarter of play up 20-10. 

The Eagles came firing on all cylinders on offense early in the second quarter. Junior guard Taylor Stafford got the scoring started with a layup in transition and followed it up with a three-pointer assisted by Shifflett. Freshman guard Jada Gross contributed with a three-pointer.

With the Eagles hitting shots from all over the court and continuing successful defensive play, BC would take a 40-25 lead into the locker-room at the half.

BC scored thirteen points off of turnovers in the first half. Gross led all scorers at the half with eleven points. Gross had help from her other two guards, Stafford and Shifflett, who each poured in seven first half points. 

The Eagles came out of the half and continued to keep their feet on the gas. Moone continued the streak of hot shooting with back-to-back three-pointers to open up the second half of play. 

BC jumped out to a score of 46-21, extending their lead to 21 points. VWU cut the deficit to eight, but could get no closer the rest of the game. 

BC would go on to score 52 second half points on their way to a win over the Marlins. 

The Lady Eagles played lights out on defense, forcing thirty-five turnovers on the night. Gross finished with 19 points and three steals to lead both teams. Junior forward Erika Nettles led the charge on the defensive end of the floor, by tallying six steals for the game. 

The Eagles are now 4-0 in ODAC play and will be back in action at home against Southern Virginia on Monday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.