The Washington and Lee women’s basketball team closed the third period with a 20-6 run en route to claiming a 73-63 victory over Roanoke on Saturday at the Bast Center.

The two teams played to a 23-23 tie following a sluggish first half, and the score remained even at 30-30 with 5:54 left in the penultimate quarter.  However, the Generals caught fire at that point, going 7-of-12 from the floor for the remainder of the quarter to claim a 50-36 lead. Guard Emily Perszyk, ‘18, got things started with a three-pointer at the 5:33 mark and guard Jackie Clifford, ‘17, picked it up from there, scoring 11 points in the final 3:36 of the quarter.

Forward Shelbi Hendricks, ‘16, got into the act at the start of the fourth period, hitting a jumper and a three-pointer around a single basket from Roanoke to stretch the lead to 17 points at the 8:28 mark.

Roanoke made a methodical run that cut the W&L advantage to single digits with 3:02 left to play, but Clifford made back-to-back baskets immediately thereafter and the Generals went 9-for-12 from the foul line in the final 1:33 to keep the Maroons at bay.

W&L shot 44.2 percent (23-52) from the field and 19-of-26 (.731) from the foul line. The Blue & White also held a 37-26 edge on the boards and the Generals committed just 13 turnovers.  Clifford scored a game-high 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor. Forward Ailyn Kelly, ‘18, totaled 12 points and guard Paige Corvino, ‘16, added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.  Perszyk finished with nine points, six rebounds and two assists.

Roanoke was paced by Bridget Holleran’s 16 points and four assists. Cary Beahm contributed 11 points.

Washington and Lee returns to action on Feb. 17, when it travels to Shenandoah for a 7:00 pm contest.