Greensboro, N.C. (1/28/07) -- Junior Ton Ton Balenga scored 25 points in fourth-ranked Virginia Wesleyan's 72-69 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) men's basketball win over 25th-ranked Guilford Sunday afternoon. The win gives Virginia Wesleyan (16-3, 11-1 ODAC) some breathing room atop the ODAC standings and snapped Guilford's (14-3, 8-2 ODAC) three-game winning streak. Both teams entered the game ranked in this week's D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.

Balenga made four three-pointers in the opening period, which helped the Marlins to a 35-29 halftime lead. His fifth three-pointer early in the second half gave the Marlins a 10-point lead with 17:36 to play. Virginia Wesleyan never trailed in the second half, but never led by more than 10 points. Guilford rallied to within one point three times down the stretch, but twice missed potentially game-tying free throws.

The Quakers' Ben Strong, who scored a game-high 30 points, made one of two free throws with 4:45 remaining and pulled Guilford to within one point for the last time, 56-55. Virginia Wesleyan reserve forward Norman Hassell scored the Marlins' next seven points during a 10-4 run that restored the guests' six-point lead with 1:56 remaining. Virginia Wesleyan preserved their seventh straight win over Guilford by making six-of-eight free throws in the final minute.

Hassell's seven big points were among his nine second-half points and 12 for the game, nearly 10 above his season average. Defending NCAA Division III Player of the Year Brandon Adair scored 13 points and added a team-high nine rebounds. He had five of Virginia Wesleyan's 18 offensive rebounds, which resulted in 20 second-chance points.

Strong added a game-high 14 rebounds to his game-high 30 points for his 11th double-double of the season. Rookie Justin Strickland made all six of his shots for 10 points off the bench. Guilford's Jordan Snipes, who entered the weekend as the ODAC's third-ranked scorer, scored eight points on three-of-15 field-goal shooting, just under 11 points shy of his season average.

The contest ended Guilford's four-game home stand and marked their first home setback of the season in eight games. The Quakers are back in ODAC action Wednesday night (1/31) at Washington and Lee. The Marlins seek their 10th win in 11 games when they host league-rival Bridgewater Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.