HOLLINS, Va. - The Agnes Scott Scotties (1-5) picked up their first win of the season today, as Ryley Jolly led all players with 22 points to lead Agnes Scott to the 68-60 win over Salem (0-4). Senior Ivey Portis was all over the floor for the Scotties, adding 11 points and 10 rebounds to aid in the victory.

The second quarter proved crucial for the Scotties for the third consecutive game, this time helping the team rocket to victory. The other three quarters between the two teams were dead even at 49-49, but the Scotties used a smothering defense and attacked in the paint in the 2nd quarter, helping them to a 19-11 advantage in the frame, accounting for the 8-point win. In their previous two games, the Scotties were on the other end of the 2nd quarter shift, but turned around their fortunes at the Empowerment Classic, hosted by Hollins University.

In the first quarter, two Sydney Evans baskets gave the Scotties the early lead, as the 6'4 center proved a huge distraction on both ends of the floor. The rest of the Scotties' points in the 1st quarter would come via the free throw line, as the Spirits got into foul trouble early on trying to cope with the Scotties' inside attack. The two teams would battle to a 9-8 Scottie advantage before the second quarter breakaway by the Scotties.

In the second quarter, the Scotties went on a 10-1 run over the first 5 minutes, including Portis nailing a three to open the scoring, and capped off with Anissa Brailsford banking in a long ball from the right corner. The two teams would be even from there, as a Sarah Fedrick layup off of a strong assist from Zania Gay led to the 28-19 halftime score.

The Scotties led by as much as 13 in the third quarter, but the Spirits roared back to cut the lead to 5 with 2:16 left in the quarter, as they trailed, 43-38. Evans once again scored an important bucket for the Scotties to stop the momentum swing, followed by Portis calmly knocking down two free throws, and leading scorer, Laila WIlliams, driving for back-to-back layups, and the lead once again ballooned to 9 points by the end of the quarter, 51-42.

The final quarter saw both teams fighting hard for their first win of the season, as Alex McElroy got things going early for the Scotties, hitting from long-range to give the Scotties a 12-point lead with 8:17 to play. The Spirits would cut the lead to 6, adopting a full court press, before a double-technical would send Jolly to the line to shoot 4, which hit nothing but net, stretching the lead to 62-52 with 3:20 to play. Salem responded, scoring the next 6 points, bringing the Scottie lead to 4, before McElroy was fouled bring the ball down the floor, and made both free throws. Evans then put the game out of reach with a jumper from the foul line off of an assist from Jolly, giving the Scotties their final lead of 8. 

For the game, Jolly finished with 22 points went 15-for-21 from the free throw line, and also contributed 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. It is the third time this season the freshman guard has reached double figures in scoring. Portis had an outstanding game as well, with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist. The Scotties' leading scorer, Laila Williams, had an efficient game, dropping 11 points and adding 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist. Evans and McElroy each finished with 8 points, and Evans also finished with 7 rebounds and a season-high 6 blocks. Zania Gay came off the bench to assist the Scotties on defense, contributing 6 steals for a season-high for the freshman. 

The Scotties will look to continue their solid play after the Thanksgiving break, as they return to the court on the road, traveling to Albany State (1-1) on Wednesday, December 4.