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W&L Women Win ODAC
Sophomore Mary Schleusner hit a dramatic game-tying 3-pointer as time expired in regulation, before the 11thranked and top-seeded Washington and Lee University women’s basketball team pulled away in overtime to win the 2024 Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament championship, 89-80, over Shenandoah on Sunday afternoon at the Salem Civic Center. It was the second consecutive ODAC title for the Generals (26-2 overall, 17-1 ODAC).
Prior to the big shot, Maddie Kimble of Shenandoah (21-7, 14-4) went to the free throw line with 11 seconds left, and sank both attempts to give the Hornets a 74-70 lead. On the other end, Schleusner missed a shot, but W&L’s Sarah Zimmerman was there for the offensive board and putback. W&L fouled Terese Greene on the ensuing inbound, but Greene went 1-of-2 at the free throw line to leave the door open for a W&L game-tying shot attempt.
The Generals called timeout to advance the ball, and the inbound pass came to Schleusner, who rose up but missed the tying shot. The loose ball went out of bounds after a Shenandoah player couldn’t corral it, and it left 0.7 seconds for one final shot. The final play came back in for Schleusner, who connected on the tying three, to send the W&L crowd into a frenzy and the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Generals kept their momentum going with an 11-1 run on 4-of-4 shooting, with Schleusner and Hanna Malik combining for all 11 points. Over the remaining 2:10, only seven points total were scored (four by the Hornets), and the Generals were able to run the clock out on offense to clinch the title.
Schleusner led all players with 36 points and 29 rebounds, while Malik scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Zimmerman added nine points and nine boards. Greene paced the Hornets with 30 points, and Kimble added 21 points.
On the way to the finals, the Generals cruised to an 82-52 win over Randolph in the quarterfinals on Friday before overcoming Bridgewater 66-54 in the semifinals on Saturday.
The Generals were awaiting their NCAA Division III tournament draw. For the schedule and updates, visit www.generalssports. com.
THE WASHINGTON and Lee University women’s basketball players and coaches celebrate with their trophy after winning their second consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship on Sunday afternoon at the Salem Civic Center. In the finals, the Generals defeated Shenandoah 89-80 in overtime. In the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament, the Generals will play host to Vassar on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Holekamp Gym. (Sideline Media photo)
