Marlins Take First Step, Advance to ODAC Semis
Washington & Lee Bows Out in First Round
February 22, 2007
Box Score

SALEM, Va. --- Two-time defending ODAC tournament champion Virginia Wesleyan College took its first step towards a third straight crown, upending Washington & Lee University 82-48 in the first game of the men’s basketball championship tournament.  The Marlins improved to 23-3 with the win while the Generals finish their season with an 11-14 record.

Virginia Wesleyan started off quickly, moving out to a 10-2 advantage that grew steadily throughout the first frame.  The reigning NCAA Division III champions moved the ball well along the perimeter, opening holes in the Generals defense, using that advantage to command a 39-24 lead at the half.

“We came out and played with a lot of energy,” set Virginia Wesleyan head coach Dave Macedo about his team’s quick start.  “That really set the tone for our game plan.”

The second half was marked by up-tempo pressure that forced the Generals out of many of their half-court sets.  Tough defense combined with 62.1-percent shooting from the field (18-of-29) made for an explosive second stanza for the Marlins.

Senior Brandon Adair and junior TonTon Balenga led four Marlins in double figures with 15 points apiece.  Junior D’Juan Tucker and freshman Stephen Fields added 10 each. 

Junior Greg Bienemann led the Generals with 16 points and 13 rebounds.  Sophomores Ben Heller and Chris McHugh added seven and six points to the effort, respectively.

Virginia Wesleyan moves on to face the winner of #3 Emory & Henry and #6 Hampden-Sydney in the ODAC semifinals.  That game is set for Saturday, February 24, at 1:00 p.m. in the Salem Civic Center.

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