EMORY, VA – Randolph senior guard Colton Hunt (Whittier, NC/Smoky Mountain) chalked up another 30-point output and the WildCats forced host Emory & Henry College into 34 percent shooting in rolling past the Wasps 71-44 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play from the King Center Wednesday evening.

                The contest was tied at eight with 15:12 remaining in the first half, but the WildCats (17-3/8-3 ODAC) rattled off an 18-3 run to take a 15-point lead at 26-11 with 5:32 left in the first half. Over that stretch, the WildCats held E&H to 1-10 shooting and forced five turnovers. Randolph would eventually take a 16-point advantage into the break, leading 36-20 at halftime.

                Senior Chris Battaglia (Smithfield, VA/Portsmouth) scored all of his 13 points in the first half, as he made five of his eight field goals in 18 minutes of action. Randolph also knocked down 11-of-13 from the line in the opening period.

                The second half belonged to Randolph's senior guard, as Hunt poured in 21 points in 12 minutes of game action. After going two-of-six from the floor in the first half, Hunt went six-of-eight from the field. The WildCats led by as much as 28 points with just over four minutes to play, coasting to the big league road win.

                Hunt also made 16-of-18 from the free throw line, both program records for the WildCats, as he finished with 33 points on the night. Hunt's 30-point game was his sixth of the season, and third in his last four outings. Hunt also finished with five boards and six steals.

                First-year forward Jason Eddie (Charlotte, NC/Davidson Day School) had nine points and three rebounds, and fellow first-year DJ Langley (Raleigh, NC/Ravenscroft) added five points, four boards and four assists. The WildCats made a season-best 25 free throws on the evening, converting on a 78.1 percent clip.

                The WildCats won the rebounding battle 39-34, while turning the ball over only 12 times. The turnover number marked the fourth game in the last five contests with 12 or fewer giveaways. Also, Randolph allowed 44 points on the night, the lowest total to any opponent all season.

                Emory & Henry (4-14/2-9 ODAC) put no players in double figures, though Tyler Driver came off the bench to score eight points and grab six rebounds, both team bests. Myles Turner had seven points and three rebounds, and four others added five points for the Wasps. E&H made 34 percent from the floor (16-47), but connected on just seven-of-19 (36.8) from the line.

                The WildCats will look to win their third in a row on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. as the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University come to the Randolph Athletics and Dance (RAD) Center for an ODAC contest.

--RANDOLPH--