LYNCHBURG, Va. -- A local rivalry that has recently blossomed into one of the nation's most competitive lived up to its billing tonight in front of a raucous crowd.

Lynchburg (12-4, 5-2 ODAC) ended up on top of Randolph (9-7, 3-4 ODAC) in front of a capacity audience, 78-66.

The game marks the first time since 2009 in which a regular season contest between these two teams was decided by more than 10 points, but the scoreline is not necessarily indicative of how tight this contest was.

After a tight start, Lynchburg used a 7-0 run to grow its lead to 10 with 7:10 remaining in the first half.

The WildCats held their opponents to just one field goal for the rest of the half, using seven straight points as part of an 11-3 run to wrap up the first half down just two, 31-29.

The hosts cut Lynchburg's lead to one three different times in the first 3:59, but couldn't get level when LC put forth an 8-1 run to get the lead back to eight.

First-year Jake Simmons (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) hit a three and back-to-back layups by sophomore Corey Brown (Williamsburg, Va./Walsingham) and senior Mike Ehilegbu (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft) pulled Randolph back within one.

The teams exchanged 5-0 runs, capped by a dunk by sophomore Lucas Smith (Cloverdale, Va./Lord Botetourt), leaving the score 57-55 with 7:34 to go.

The final spurt in a game of runs came immediately thereafter, however, as the visitors took seven straight points to gain an edge that required Randolph to foul down the stretch, giving the final scoreline of 78-66.

Ehilegbu led all scorers with 22, while pulling down a team-best six rebounds. The guard leads all players in the league at his position in rebounding.

Lynchburg received 18 points from Zack Burnett and 13 apiece from Lyndon White and Daniel Rowe.

White flirted with a triple-double, as he had game highs in assists (9) and rebounds (8).

Both teams shot very well from the floor, as the WildCats hit on 52.2% of their shots in the second half, as compared to 55.2% of Lynchburg's attempts.

The WildCats lost for only the second time this year when hitting at least 44.0% of their shots.

Randolph has now lost consecutive regular season games for only the second time in more than two calendar years and the first time in 12 months.

It is also only the second time in the last 23 months in which the team has lost by more than one at home, a span of 19 games.

Randolph had won two straight against its cross-town opponent.

The team will have a chance to bounce back and avenge an earlier close loss when it hosts Hampden-Sydney at 2 p.m., Saturday.