Maroons Stay Dominant on the Court

by Tim Hoffstaetter

The women’s basketball team had their first game on November 11 where they visited nearby Mary Baldwin and soundly won by 38 points. This game was already decided by the end of the first quarter when Roanoke was up 23-5 and caused 17 turnovers and had ten steals. During the game, Roanoke featured sixteen different players and only freshmen guard Ingrid Moraes played more than 20 minutes. Roanoke’s leading scorer this game was freshman Madison Nereu with 24 points, who also led the team with five steals in the game. 

The women had their home opener on November 16 against ODAC rival the Lynchburg Hornets. In this game the Roanoke defense showed off their prowess with active hands causing turnovers and disruptions in the Lynchburg offense, holding them to four points in the third quarter. The offense was having their fair share of success on the other end of the court, where they were bolstered by 23 offensive rebounds, seven coming from Nereu. Senior Morgan Micallef was the Maroons’ leading scorer in the game with 15 points and was just short of a double double with eight total rebounds. Micallef only played 20 minutes this game due to foul trouble, but Coach Carla Flaherty used the situation as a chance to showcase the depth of the Maroons’ bench. Aside from the first few minutes of the game, Flaherty rotated regularly with only two or three starters being on the court together at any given time. 

The women rounded out their opening games on November 19 against the visiting Salisbury Sea Gulls in the Jean Beamer Tip-Off Classic. This was another dominant performance from the Roanoke defense, holding Salisbury to only ten points in the second half and forcing 29 turnovers. The Maroons’ defensive effort drew contributions from across their roster, but freshman Jacquelyn DeJesse stood out with six steals. Roanoke’s defense supported their offensive efforts throughout the game, which led Salisbury to run a two-three zone to stay in front of the Maroons. The Maroons were able to overcome this strategy from the Sea Gulls with their signature jump shots and three-pointers. Roanoke went on a thirteen-point run in the last 4:45 of the second quarter, securing them a lead they would maintain on their way to a 58-36 victory.