BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Bridgewater College women's basketball team survived a rollercoaster battle with the Panthers of Ferrum to advance to the quarterfinal round of the ODAC Tournament.

The Basics

• Final Score: No. 7 Bridgewater 53, No. 10 Ferrum 51
• Records: Bridgewater (11-14), Ferrum (5-21)

How It Happened

• After a slow start by both teams, the Panthers took a three-point advantage after a made three and a successful trip to the free throw line. Rosemary Pierson tied the contest at 9-9 on a deep three
• Erika Nettles struck first for BC on contested shot directly under the basket before Mya Olmeda broke free from her defender to sink a wide open three and give BC a 13-11 edge. The Eagles took their largest lead of the game at seven points in the second quarter
• Ferrum used back-to-back positive offensive possession to come within three at 29-26 as the teams entered the locker room. Nettles led Bridgewater with nine points in the half while Melanie Pick grabbed six rebounds
• The Panthers came out of the locker room strong, scoring five unanswered as Bridgewater committed four straight turnovers. The Eagles responded, going on a 10-0 run featuring two acrobatic driving layups from Pick to carry a 45-39 edge entering the final frame
• Bridgewater scored their first points of the quarter seven minutes in on an India Dailey three to make it 48-41 BC. Alsberry extended the lead to 50-41 on jumper from the top of the key. The Panthers then sank two consecutive threes to come within one more of tying the game at 50-47
• With two minutes remaining in the contest, Ferrum grabbed an offensive board and put back to cut the BC lead to just one point. The Panthers called a timeout with exactly one minute remaining in the game but could not successfully draw up a play to take the lead
• Alsberry grabbed a loose ball with 25 seconds left in the game. Now forced to foul, Ferrum sent Julia Williams to the line who converted both attempts to give the Eagles a 52-49 edge with 20 seconds remaining. The Panthers then drove the length of the court for a layup to come back within one point
• Melanie Pick found herself at the line with five seconds remaining and added one to the Eagles tally. The Panthers had a chance, knocking in a layup right after time expired to secure the BC win and send the Eagles to Salem.

Match Notes

• Alsberry led the Eagles with 14 points followed by Nettles with 11 and Rosemary Pierson with nine
• Pick had a game high nine rebounds while Alsberry and Nettles both grabbed eight
• Williams dished out four assists
• Bridgewater outrebounded Ferrum 49-32

Up Next

• The Eagles will now face No. 2 Randolph-Macon in the quarterfinal round of the ODAC Tournament at the Salem Civic Center