Box Score SALEM, VA -- Top-seeded Virginia Wesleyan used a 25-7 run in the first nine-minutes of the second-half to erase a nine-point Guilford halftime lead on its way to a 72-69 victory in the semifinals of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.
The Marlins advance to the championships game where they will take on the winner of Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon Monday night at 7:00 p.m.
Guilford shot 45.5-percent in the first-half to open up an early lead. Quaker forward
Ben Strong hit on 5-of-10 shots to pace Guilford with 11 first-half points.
Caleb Kimbrough's three-pointer as time expired put the Quakers on top 37-28 heading into the locker room.
The Marlins responded by scoring nine of the first 12 points of the second-half. A three-point play by Ton Ton Balenga tied the score at 40.
The teams exchanged baskets before Brandon Adair put the Marlins ahead 45-44 after a three-point play with 12:47 remaining. The Marlins did not lose the lead again.
Virginia Wesleyan's lead grew to 11 with just over seven minutes to play on a lay up by Marques Fitch .
Guilford fought back cutting the lead VWC lead to 71-69 with eight second remaining. After Fitch made one of two free-throws, Kimbrough had a chance to tie the game but his pull up three-point attempt from the top of the key fell just short to give Virginia Wesleyan the win.
Adair led four Virginia Wesleyan players in double figures with 16 points. He was joined by D' Juan Tucker who had 14 points, Fantin (13 points) and Fitch (12 point).
Strong led Guilford with 19 points.
Jordan Snipes added 17 points while Kimbrough chipped in with 13 of his own.
Story courtesy of ODAC Sports Information.
