SALEM, Va. – The No. 17 Washington and Lee women’s basketball team secured a thrilling 73-66 victory against Ferrum in the ODAC semifinals on Friday night, propelled by remarkable performances from junior Mary Schleusner and Sarah Zimmerman, who achieved a career-high 22 points.
Game Highlights
After entering the fourth quarter trailing 52-50, Schleusner kicked off the scoring with a jump shot and converted the subsequent free throw following a foul. This sparked a strong 13-6 run, allowing Washington and Lee (24-3) to take a 63-58 lead with 4:34 left on the clock. However, Ferrum (14-13) remained competitive, making their next four shots and narrowing the gap to just one point with 1:56 left in the game.
In response, Washington and Lee found momentum through a crucial three-pointer by junior Quinn McGuinness, aided by Zimmerman’s offensive rebound that extended the play. Down the stretch, Ferrum struggled offensively, going 0-for-3, while Zimmerman and junior Elka Prechel increased the Generals’ lead with three successful free throws.
Quarterly Breakdown
Prechel and Zimmerman provided a strong start for the Generals, contributing to all 11 of the team’s points within the first five minutes, leading to an early 11-7 advantage. Washington and Lee established a lead as significant as eight points in the first half, but Ferrum fought back, outscoring the Generals 20-14 in the second quarter to tie the game at 31 by halftime.
The Panthers continued to press, outscoring W&L 21-19 in the third quarter to carry a slender lead into the final period. Both teams showcased impressive efficiency, shooting over 50 percent. However, Ferrum’s success came from making two more field goals and forcing additional turnovers.
Star Performers
Zimmerman’s standout performance culminated in 22 points on a highly efficient shooting night, going 6-for-9 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range, and perfect from the free-throw line at 8-for-8. Schleusner, aiming to break the program career records, finished with 13 points, three blocks, and 11 rebounds along with two assists and three steals.
McGuinness chipped in 11 points alongside vital contributions in rebounds and assists, highlighted by her pivotal three-pointer. Prechel and sophomore Riley Bryant collectively added 15 points, showcasing the team’s depth.
On the opposing side, Ferrum was led by a balanced scoring effort with Kleiauna Riddick scoring 15 points, supported by Aisha Martin and Taryn Blankenship with 14 points each, and Allyson Cassell contributing 13 points.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Mary Schleusner made history by surpassing Jessica Hunsinger’s career blocks record of 267, achieving this milestone with her first block late in the first quarter. She further solidified her legacy by becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer, overtaking Jessica Mentz with a layup just before halftime.
Already recognized as the all-time leading rebounder for the program, Schleusner also celebrated reaching 1,400 career rebounds, becoming only the 12th player in Division III women’s basketball history to achieve this feat. With 11 rebounds in the game, she climbed into 11th place on the all-time list, just one board shy of 10th place.
Looking Ahead
The Generals are set to make their third consecutive appearance in the ODAC championship on Saturday, after previously defeating Shenandoah. They will take on No. 18 seed and top-ranked Randolph-Macon at 8:00 p.m. in the Salem Civic Center, seeking redemption after a narrow loss in double overtime earlier in the season.
Team Statistics
Washington and Lee finished the game shooting 40.4 percent from the field (23-57) and excelled at the free-throw line with an impressive 81.5 percent (22-27). Ferrum concluded the night at 44.8 percent shooting (26-58), benefiting from strong performances in the second and third quarters. The Generals outperformed the Panthers in several key areas, including points off turnovers (17-8) and points in the paint (34-28).
