The defending national champion Marlins led 40-29 at the half, but Lynchburg trimmed the advantage to just three at 46-43 with 15:13 left. Virginia Wesleyan exploded with a 22-4 surge over the next nine minutes to seal the game.
Junior center Peter Vasiliou (Chincoteague, VA/ Chincoteague) hit seven of his 10 field goals to finish with a team-high 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Steven Echols (Martinsville, VA/Carlisle) finished with 13 points and five rebounds while Kwame Safo (Vienna, VA/George C. Marshall) compiled 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
TonTon Balenga hit five three-pointers and scored a game-high 25 points for Virginia Wesleyan (12-2/7-0 ODAC). Brandon Adair had 14 points and seven rebounds and Tyler Fantin and Terrell Dixon each had nine points.
The Hornets (6-7/3-3 ODAC) travel to Hampden-Sydney College Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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