Roanoke Outlasts W&L, Faces GC in Semis

Maroons Withstand Second Half Run

February 29, 2008  -  Box Score

SALEM, Va. --- The second game of the ODAC Men’s Basketball Tournament matched #4 Roanoke College versus #5 Washington and Lee.  The Maroons edged the Generals, 76-66, and move on to face Guilford in Saturday’s first semifinal.  Roanoke now sits at 18-8 while Washington and Lee bows out at 15-11. 

Roanoke College jumped out early due to key shooting by A.J. Dowell and Zach Milton, and the Maroons held the lead for most of the half. A three-pointer for the Generals by Isaiah Goodman tied the game at the 10:20 mark, but a trey by Milton gave Roanoke the advantage again and the Maroons went in to half-time up 39-32.

The Maroons advantage eclipsed at nine points early in the second frame before W&L started its comeback push.  At the 11:29 mark, Greg Bienemann gave the Generals their first lead of the game with a lay-up and free throw for a 51-49 edge.  Roanoke regrouped and pushed its lead back out to seven points with less than five minutes to play.  The momentum helped carry the Maroons through to the final whistle.

Milton finished the game with 14 points and 5 rebounds while Dowell and Curtis Peery led the Maroons in scoring with 16 points apiece.  Peery shot 80% from the field for the night and contributed seven rebounds.  Josh LaPorte played 31 minutes and added nine points and seven boards to Roanoke’s effort. 

Bienemann and Chris McHugh paced Washington and Lee with 17 points apiece.  Beinemann also notched seven rebounds and four blocks for the Generals.   Goodman had 11 points and Zac White chipped in 10 markers. 

Roanoke will face the Guildford in the first men’s semifinal on Saturday, March 1.  Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. in the Salem Civic Center.