RALEIGH, NC – Senior guard Colton Hunt (Whittier, NC/Smoky Mountain) tied the school record with 36 points as the Randolph College men's basketball team completed the non-conference slate a perfect 9-0 with a 80-63 victory over William Peace University in action from the Hermann Student Center Monday evening.

                The WildCats (15-2) are currently tied for the most wins in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) with the No. 23 Tigers of Hampden-Sydney College, the team Randolph will entertain Wednesday evening in the Randolph Athletics and Dance (RAD) Center at 7 p.m. in a pivotal conference matchup.

                Randolph, playing a team in its first varsity year of action, jumped out on the Pacers (2-8) quickly, leading 11-3 after three minutes of play. WPU got as close as one in the first half at 20-19 after a three-pointer from John Hardin, but Randolph would grow the lead up to seven at the break.

                Following halftime, William Peace nailed back-to-back threes to again trail by just one, but Randolph went on a 12-2 run to lead 48-37 after a traditional three-point play from senior Chris Battaglia (Smithfield, VA/Portsmouth). The WildCats would slowly pull away during the rest of the period, leading by as much as 20 before winning by 17.

                Hunt was 13-26 from the floor on the evening, making all seven of his free throws. Hunt's 36 points tied his and the Randolph single-game record that he set earlier this season against Shenandoah University. Hunt also contributed six rebounds, four helpers and two steals.

                Battaglia finished with his first career double-double, chalking up a career- best 10 rebounds to go with his 11 points. Junior Mike Ehilegbu (Raleigh, NC/Ravenscroft) returned to his hometown to score 11 points, grab five rebounds and snatch three steals, while fellow Raleigh native DJ Langley (Raleigh, NC/Ravenscroft) added nine points, four assists and three steals.

                Randolph finished the night with a 54.7 shooting percentage, hitting 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) from the line. The WildCats also forced 24 turnovers from the Pacers on the night. First-year guard Evan Horn (Westminster, MD/Winters Mill) made both of his shots for six points, adding two assists.

                WPU was led by the 19 points from Hardin, who hit six of his 10 three pointers on the night. Teammate Antonio Hinnant helped out with 16 points, while Tyquan Nolan added nine points, six boards and four assists. Gaven Allen scored eight points and picked up six rebounds as well for the Pacers, who shot 42.1 percent on the night. WPU did shoot well from deep though, as it nailed 14-of-34 threes (41.2 percent).

                The WildCats will return to ODAC action Wednesday with the before mentioned contest with No.23 Hampden-Sydney College at 7 p.m. in the RAD Center. Fans are encouraged to show up early to secure a seat in what promises to be a standing room only affair.

--RANDOLPH--