WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University opened up its 2012-13 ODAC women's basketball slate with an 82-64 loss to Virginia Wesleyan Wednesday evening.

The contest was the first-ever ODAC game for SU (1-5, 0-1 ODAC).

Virginia Wesleyan (3-3, 1-0) seized total control of the contest with a strong finish to the first half.

Leading by just one point, 28-27, following a pair of Imani Heggins free throws with 1:12 remaining, the Marlins scored the final seven points of the half to take a 35-27 lead into the halftime locker room.

VWC extended this run in the initial 5:51 of the second, outscoring SU 11-5 in that span to take its first double-digit lead.

This advantage was extended to 20 points by the 8:00 mark and to 25 points with 6:12 left.

Virginia Wesleyan took 26 more shots than Shenandoah and owned a 52-33 advantage on the glass. This led to a 44-22 bulge in points in the paint and a 16-9 advantage in second chance points for the Marlins.

Heggins and Holly Chittenden paced the Hornets with 15 points each while Corin Scott added 14.

Chittenden, thanks to 11 rebounds, recorded her second double-double in the past four outings. Heggins pulled down a game-high 12 boards.

It is the first career double-double for Heggins.

Sarah Seipp, the current ODAC Player of the Week, had a game-high 18 points for the Marlins. She also led the victors with 10 rebounds.

Shenandoah continues ODAC action on Saturday with a 2:00 home contest against Emory and Henry.

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