Wheeler, a 5-11 junior forward, contributed eight of her points in the second half. She often scored from close range and helped the guests outscore Guilford, 30-18, in the paint.
Sophomore Andrea Ushinski (Herndon, Va./Oakton) delivered 10 points in 18 foul-ridden minutes, including a key basket with 3:24 left in the game. The bucket raised Virginia Wesleyan's lead to 57-49 right after Guilford's Dionne Graham (Savannah, Ga./Jenkins) capped a 14-6 Quakers' burst that trimmed a 14-point deficit to six. Guilford could not mount another run as Ushinski and rookie Tonia Jones (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown) scored four points apiece in the final 3:24 for the Marlins.
Despite playing its second road game in less than 24 hours, Virginia Wesleyan made over 56 percent of its second-half field goals and had just 15 turnovers. The Marlins played 11 students for at least nine minutes, nine of whom scored four or more points. Virginia Wesleyan's bench outscored its Guilford counterparts, 38-9.
The Quakers' lone threat was sophomore forward Tracey Croner (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan), who matched her career high with a game-best 26 points. She made 11-of-17 field goals, including two three-pointers, and added three rebounds and two assists.
Guilford hits the road for the first time since early December Tuesday (1/9) at league-rival Lynchburg. The Marlins host Hollins in a league tilt next Saturday (1/13) at 4:00 p.m.
Virginia Wesleyan vs Guilford 01/06/07 4:00 p.m. at Greensboro, NC - Ragan-Brown Field House At Greensboro, NC - Ragan-Brown Field House VIRGINIA WESLEYAN 65, GUILFORD 55 VIRGINIA WESLEYAN (10-3, 7-1 ODAC) WHEELER, Allison 7-9 0-0 14; USHINSKI, Andrea 4-6 0-0 10; JONES, Tonia 3-5 2-2 9; DOVE, Michelle 3-8 0-0 7; THURSTON, Nicole 2-7 2-2 6; WESTON, Jill 2-5 0-0 6; PHILLIPS, Heather 1-4 3-4 5; BARRETT, Chelsey 1-6 2-2 4; CHURCHILL, Lindsey 2-4 0-0 4; LOWE, Taylor 0-1 0-0 0; RECTOR, Lauren 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-55 9-10 65. GUILFORD (6-6, 5-2 ODAC) CRONER, Tracey 11-17 2-2 26; WILLIAMS, Alexa 3-10 0-0 8; CASTO, Jessica 2-5 0-0 5; TERRY, Joclyn 2-8 0-0 5; GRAHAM, Dionne 2-3 0-0 4; SEUFER, Ann 1-4 0-0 3; HACKETT, Shevon 1-6 0-2 2; NEVILLE, Mariah 0-2 2-2 2; DAILEY, Katie 0-0 0-0 0; WOOD, Jasmine 0-6 0-2 0. Totals 22-61 4-8 55. Virginia Wesleyan............. 30 35 - 65 Guilford...................... 20 35 - 55 3-point goals--Virginia Wesleyan 6-17 (USHINSKI, Andrea 2-3; WESTON, Jill 2-4; JONES, Tonia 1-3; DOVE, Michelle 1-6; BARRETT, Chelsey 0-1), Guilford 7-17 (CRONER, Tracey 2-3; WILLIAMS, Alexa 2-3; TERRY, Joclyn 1-4; SEUFER, Ann 1-4; CASTO, Jessica 1-3). Fouled out--Virginia Wesleyan-None, Guilford-None. Rebounds--Virginia Wesleyan 32 (DOVE, Michelle 6), Guilford 39 (WOOD, Jasmine 8). Assists--Virginia Wesleyan 13 (DOVE, Michelle 4), Guilford 15 (GRAHAM, Dionne 5). Total fouls--Virginia Wesleyan 11, Guilford 13. Technical fouls--Virginia Wesleyan-None, Guilford-None. A-120 Old Dominion Athletic Conference game.