Nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan bounced back from a Saturday loss to defeat the Bridgewater College Eagles, 72-52, Monday night at Nininger Hall.
The Marlins, ranked No. 2 in the nation and coming off a 60-55 loss at home to Guilford, took the lead early.
Bridgewater scored first on a jumper by David Larson before a layup by Wesleyan’s Donald Vaughn tied the score. Chris Astorga then knocked down a 3-pointer for a 5-2 lead and the Marlins never trailed again.
The Eagles hung around for most of the first half and trailed by just 11 points, 34-23, at the break.
Virginia Wesleyan opened the second half with a 7-0 spurt to take an 18-point lead and the Eagles could get no closer than 13 the rest of the way.
Cody Griffith led the Eagles with 12 points and Ed Reddick just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. David Larson also scored 10 points for the Eagles, now 5-12 overall and 2-7 in the ODAC.
Astorga paced the Marlins, now 14-2 overall and 7-1 in the ODAC, with 22 points and Vaughn finished with 20.
Bridgewater returns to action Saturday afternoon when the Eagles host Emory & Henry. Game time is 2:00 p.m.