Virginia Wesleyan shot 51.9 percent from the field in the first half to open up a 37-23 lead at the break and the Marlins held the upper hand the rest of the way to take a 65-53 ODAC victory Saturday afternoon.

The Marlins kept the lead in double figures for most of the second half, leading by as many as 18 points. The Eagles did not cut the lead under 10 until Jordan Burkholder hit two free throws with 3:27 left in the game, making the score 62-53.

Bridgewater then had three possessions with a chance to cut further into the deficit, but the Eagles were unable to connect at the offensive end.

Tonia Jones led the Marlins with 18 points as she hit 8-of-13 shots from the floor. Heather Phillips connected on 7-of-12 shots to finish with 15 points.

Jennifer Saunders scored 14 points to pace the Eagles and Jessica Timberlake added 12.

The Eagles are now 11-12 overall and 9-9 in the ODAC. Virginia Wesleyan remains in first place with a 19-5 overall record and a 16-3 ODAC mark.