Greensboro, NC (2/09/99) -- Visiting Virginia Wesleyan overcame a 20-point second-half deficit and escaped with a 77-73 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) women's basketball win over Guilford Tuesday night.

Junior guard Bridget Smith (Annapolis, MD/St. Mary's) gave the Marlins (12-8, 11-6 ODAC) the lead for good (68-67) with a pair of free throws with 3:14 to play. Sophomore forward Arden Miller (Landenberg, PA/Sanford School (DE)) hit a three-pointer to pull Guilford (9-11, 8-8 ODAC) to within 72-70 with 36 seconds remaining, but the Marlins converted five of six free throws in the final 18 seconds to secure the win and a sweep of the season series with Guilford.

The Quakers held a 45-27 halftime advantage after shooting over 60 percent from the floor and forcing 20 Virginia Wesleyan turnovers. After Guilford senior Alison Schott (Lyons, NY/Lyons) scored the first basket of the second half to give the Quakers a 47-27 edge, Virginia Wesleyan scored nine unanswered points to get back into the game at 47-36 with 18:25 remaining.

The Guilford lead lingered at 11 points until the Marlins used a 10-0 run over a two-and-a-half minute stretch midway through period to draw within 65-64 at the 6:15 mark. The teams traded baskets before Smith's free throws gave the visitors the lead for good.

Smith led four Marlins in double-figure scoring with 16 points and added four assists. Reserve center Janine Swanson (South Amboy, NJ/St. Mary's Regional) scored 10 of her 15 points in the second half and added a game-high 15 rebounds for her second straight double-double. Junior guard Nancy Mattox (Glen Allen, VA/Hermitage) scored all 11 of her points in the second half, thanks in part to a game-high three three-point baskets. Virginia Wesleyan enjoyed a 51-38 rebounding advantage.

The loss offset a career night for Guilford sophomore guard Kerrie Campbell (Greensboro, NC/Grimsley) who finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, both career highs, plus four assists and three steals. Schott tallied 14 points and three assists while rookie forward Amy Evans (New Bern, NC/New Bern) compiled 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Quakers are back in action Friday night at league rival Bridgewater at 7:00 pm while the Marlins visit Emory & Henry for a league tilt on Saturday afternoon.