BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Julianna Walter (Taylorsville, N.C.) recorded a career-best 20 points as the Guilford College women's basketball team (11-2, 2-2 ODAC) clashed impactfully in a toe-to-toe battle, falling short to fend off the Eagles of Bridgewater College (11-2, 4-0 ODAC), 72-85, inside Nininger Hall on Saturday afternoon.
A dominant start offensively would steer the Quakers to a spectacular first-half showing as Guilford would fire 14-37 (37.8%) from the field and 3-6 (50.0%) from the three-point arch. Unfortunately, Guilford would be outclassed defensively in the second-half off a streak of Bridgewater conversions. The Eagles would launch 21-33 (63.6%) from the field in the second-half, soaring over the Quaker-defensive unit throughout regulation.
Walter would display a commanding showing for Guilford through shooting 5-10 (50.0%) from the field, 1-3 (33.3%) from the three-point line, and 9-10 (90.0%) from the free-throw line, collecting four rebounds and two steals in the process.
Markayla Massenburg (Raleigh, N.C.) matched Walter with 20 points of her own, lighting-up the floor firing 7-10 (70.0%) from the field and 5-5 (100.0%) from the line, reeling in five rebounds, one block, and two steals on the outing.
Briahna Scott (Graham, N.C.) logged 15 points of her own on the back of shooting 6-16 (37.5%) from the field and 3-4 (75.0%) from the line.
Taylor Dunn (Charlotte, N.C.) had a solid 13-point afternoon, launching 5-13 (38.5%) from the field and 2-5 (40.0%) from the three-point arch, snagging a career-high of nine rebounds overall.
Jay Garcia would dominate for Bridgewater offensively, recording 25 points from firing 7-14 (50.0%) from the field and drawing a plethora of fouls to log 10-12 (83.3%) from the line, while 10 rebounds in the clash. Riley Corcoran would follow-suit for the Eagles with 21 points of her own from shooting 8-14 (57.1%) from the field and 5-7 (71.4%) from the line. Jaiden Polston would lead the charge defensively with Bridgewater's two lone blocks in the battle, while launching 9-13 (69.2%) from the field and corralling eight rebounds and one steal for an 18-point performance.
Guilford would kick-off the contest with outscoring Bridgewater on the back of their ten-point streak led by Walter and Scott's scoring from the field to take a 20-13 lead through one period.
The scoring wouldn't cease during the second quarter as the Quakers would extend their margin over the Eagles off of Dunn's buzzer-beater to close out the first half with a 40-30 lead.
The second-half would commence defensive miscues by Guilford causing an 11-point scoring run driven by Garcia and Asia Williams to propel Bridgewater to a one-point lead, 58-57, with ten minutes remaining.
Lack of ball possession off of Quaker turnovers would push the Eagles to another 11-point scoring run, leading Guilford to falter defensively in a 85-72 final score over Bridgewater.
Guilford will return to face ODAC rival Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan University on Wednesday, January 14th on Jack Jensen Court inside the Ragan-Brown Fieldhouse. Tip-off begins at 7:30 PM.
#GoQuakes
