GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Guilford College women's basketball team (12-2, 3-2 ODAC) earned a hard-fought conference win on Wednesday night, slipping past Virginia Wesleyan University (8-6, 2-3 ODAC), 59-56, inside Ragan-Brown Field House. The victory snapped a brief ODAC skid for the Quakers and put on a show for the student section, as the game featured 13 lead changes and six ties. Guilford leaned on timely scoring and late-game execution, forcing 20 Virginia Wesleyan turnovers and converting them into 19 points.
Taylor Dunn (Charlotte, N.C.) delivered the best shooting performance of her career, pouring in a 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting and knocking down four three-pointers.
Anna Giannopoulou (Athens, Greece) added a well-rounded effort with 13 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, and three assists, holding strong for the Quakers on both ends of the floor.
Karly Glahn (Charlotte, N.C.) chipped in five points, six rebounds, three steals, and a block, while
Briahna Scott (Graham, N.C.) contributed nine points and four steals, continuing Guilford's disruptive defensive presence.
Virginia Wesleyan was led by Brianna Long, who posted a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds. Keira Bagwell added nine points and three assists, while Jaiden Hunter grabbed nine rebounds, and Sydney Turner finished with eight points off the bench for the Marlins.
The Quakers set the tone early, buoyed by the season debut of
Carmyn Claxton (Greenville, S.C.), who checked in during the opening quarter and immediately added energy to the frontcourt.
Guilford led 14-9 after the opener and extended the margin to 31-27 at halftime, fueled by Dunn's 11 first-half points and a late three-pointer just before the break, assisted by
Julianna Walter (Taylorsville, N.C.).
The third quarter tightened into a defensive battle, with Virginia Wesleyan briefly taking the lead before Guilford pushed ahead 42-41 entering the fourth.
The final ten minutes remained tense, but the Quakers responded with composure, opening the quarter with back-to-back free throws from Giannopoulou and forcing multiple empty possessions down the stretch to secure the three-point victory.
Guilford returns to action on Saturday, January 17, traveling to face the WildCats of Randolph College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
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