Virginia Beach, Va. — On a thrilling Wednesday night at TowneBank Arena, the University of Lynchburg women’s basketball team delivered an electrifying performance that left fans on the edge of their seats. In a hard-fought battle against Virginia Wesleyan, the Hornets closed the gap from a staggering 22-point deficit to just a single point, only to fall short with a final score of 79-76.
The evening began with the Hornets (7-5, 0-3 ODAC) showcasing their prowess in the first quarter, where they launched an offensive attack that established a 23-15 lead over the Marlins (8-4, 2-1). Shooting an impressive 71.4% from the field, Lynchburg’s success was fueled by a well-balanced scoring approach and solid execution in the paint. This early advantage set the stage for what would become a gripping contest.
However, the tides turned during the second quarter, as Virginia Wesleyan seized control of the game. Outscoring Lynchburg 20-8, the Marlins not only took the lead but also shifted the momentum. With an impressive shooting percentage of 64.3%, Virginia Wesleyan showcased their offensive capabilities, effectively limiting Lynchburg’s scoring opportunities and heading into the halftime break with a 35-31 advantage.
The third quarter continued to favor the Marlins, who extended their lead significantly with a 22-point performance while holding the Hornets to just 12 points. As the teams entered the fourth quarter, Lynchburg found themselves trailing 57-43, facing a daunting uphill battle.
Yet, the Hornets were far from ready to concede. What followed was a remarkable demonstration of resilience and determination, as Lynchburg unleashed a powerful fourth-quarter surge. Over a thrilling seven-minute stretch, the Hornets embarked on an impressive 16-2 run, spearheaded by the standout performance of Audra Petty. Petty’s 12 points during this span anchored the Hornets’ charge and resulted in her scoring a total of 28 points for the game, matching her career-high.
Noteworthy contributions also came from teammates, with Bree Spainhour adding 17 points on an efficient six-of-eight shooting and dishing out four assists, while Kate Littlejohn provided a solid performance with 16 points, excelling at the free-throw line hitting eight-of-12 attempts. As the game progressed, the Hornets ended the fourth quarter with a sensational 33 points on 61.5% shooting, demonstrating their tenacity and skill under pressure.
Despite increasingly closing in on the Marlins, Lynchburg’s efforts fell just short as they finished the game on an 11-point scoring run but were unable to secure the equalizing basket. The final buzzer marked a tough, yet commendable, three-point loss for the Hornets in what could only be described as a testament to their fighting spirit.
The University of Lynchburg women’s basketball team will seek redemption this Saturday, January 10, when they host Averett at Turner Gym, kicking off at 4:30 p.m. As always, fans can stay updated with the latest on the Hornets’ season through official channels. Visit Lynchburg athletics’ home online at LynchburgSports.com for up-to-date news and coverage.
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–LYN–
