Hollins vs Virginia Wesleyan | Saturday, January 10, 2026 | Roanoke, Va.
 
The Basics 
Score: Hollins 69, Virginia Wesleyan 63 (OT)
Records: Hollins 11-2 / 3-1 ODAC | Royals 8-5 / 2-2 ODAC

The Lead: The Hollins basketball team looked to win in conference play for the second time this week when they hosted Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. HU scored the final 12 points of the first quarter en route a 21-9 lead. The visitors battled back to tie the game in the closing minutes before a 4-1 run to close the half gave Hollins a three-point edge. The third quarter once again saw a big Hollins run to seize control and carried a 10-point lead into the final period of play. The Green and Gold pushed their lead to 12 before a VWU rally tied the game late and sent the conference matchup into overtime. The Marlins scored first but HU used three consecutive baskets in the paint to pull away and go on to the 69-63, overtime, win.

Highlights 

• Sarah Morales scored to start a 6-0 run after the opening tip. The Marlins stormed back to take a 7-6 edge before a three-point play by Morales allowed HU to retake the advantage. A layup by Gracie Huffard started 12-0 run that was wrapped up with a bucket by Abby Kingery and Hollins led 21-9 after one quarter of play.
• The Marlins quickly got back int eh game with a 7-0 start to the second frame. Kennedy Leggett scored to stop the run, but Virginia Wesleyan carried that momentum to a game tying bucket, 24-24, with 3:30left in the first half. Erin Allen scored followed by hoops from Jacorra Russell and Zaria Holden allowing the Green and Gold to take a 30-27 halftime lead.
• Hollins came out and re-established control with a big run that concluded with a pair of Russell 3-pointers, 44-31. It was the Marlins' turn to respond as VWU closed the period on a 7-4 surge to make it a 10-point spread.
• At the 8:20 mark, a Russell layup kept the lead at 10. Holden grew the lead to 12, however, Virginia Wesleyan scored the next six to make it 54-48 with just over five minutes left to play. Noelani Carter hit one of two from the line to make it 59-53 with 2:00 left to play. That would be the last Hollins points of regulation with VWU rattling off six in a row to send the game into overtime.
• In the extra period, the Marlins struck first with a pair of free throws. Hollins answered on the charity stripe with a pair from Allen. Russell and Allen scored at the hoop to give Hollins a four-point cushion. Zaria pushed the lead to seven as Hollins would hold on for their third Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) win of the season.
• Russell led a quartet of Hollins players in double-digits with 18 points. The first year added five rebounds and two blocked shots. Morales had 14 points, five boards, three assists, and two steals before being disqualified on fouls. Holden had 12 points to go with team high's in rebounds (8) and assists (6) while Allen finished with 10 points, three rebounds, a block, and a steal.

Up Next: Hollins plays host to Washington and Lee on Wednesday at 7:00pm.