LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Randolph stayed within striking distance of Eastern Mennonite, but couldn't climb out of an early hole, falling 72-54.

Junior Jensen Hoover (Woodstock, Va./Central) opened the scoring, giving Randolph its only lead of the game.

After a 5-0 Eastern Mennonite run, senior Emilee Dunton (Forest, Va./Brookville) leveled the game with a three.

An exchange of baskets put Randolph down 10-8, but a 9-0 EMU run opened up a cushion for the visitors.

Randolph stayed within striking distance, as the game was played in a 10-point window for most of the remainder of the game, with the Eastern Mennonite lead fluctuating between nine and 19 over the next 30 minutes of gameplay.

The WildCats had an 8-1 run near the end of the first half and a 6-0 spurt out of intermission, but a 7-0 EMU run between the two kept The Royals up double-digits.

Randolph gained more momentum after seven straight points, but once again EMU responded to preserve its cushion.

Down the stretch, the Royals had answers for every Randolph basket, as the ODAC's top-ranked team and pre-season took home a 72-54 win.

Sophomore Abigail Bullins (Asheboro, N.C./Asheboro) led Randolph with 13 points, followed by Dunton's 12. Hoover also contributed 11 in the game. Junior Allie Druffel (Centreville. Va./Westfield) led the team with seven rebounds.

The Royals held edges in rebounds (47-31) and free throw makes (15-4) which helped them to the win.

Randolph held a 36-20 edge in points in the paint.

The WildCats head on the road to two games against Washington & Lee and Shenandoah. The team will then wrap up the regular season with two home games.