LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Randolph put a huge scare in the nation's fourth-ranked team nationally, as the WildCats fell, 74-66, to Randolph-Macon.

Randolph held its opposition scoreless for almost 10 minutes, using an 18-0 run in the second half to pull within three, but couldn't make the final surge needed to equalize.

Randolph-Macon, No. 4 in the d3hoops.com national poll, never trailed in the contest, scoring the first five points of the game to get ahead and using a 13-0 run to get ahead by double digits after Randolph trimmed the lead thanks to three free throws from junior Seth Wimbish.

Trailing by 16 at one point in the first half, Randolph trimmed the lead to seven with 36 seconds remaining, but the visitors earned the last two points to go into halftime up 40-31.

The Yellow Jackets used Joe Hassell early in the second half, as the post player scored nine of the team's first 12 points of the second half in a run that put the team up 21.

After an exchange of baskets, Randolph-Macon looked in control up by 21 with 12:16 left to play.

Resiliently, the WildCats made an impressive charge, holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless over the next 9:46 to make a move.

First-year Ryan Fields started the run off with a three from the wing after a driving feed from classmate Reid Jacoby.

Jacoby set up Fields again seconds later on a slashing layup in transition after a miss at the other end.

After pulling down a defensive rebound, junior Jason Eddie hit on a layup to continue the run.

Junior Zach Desgain scored the next six points of the contest, hitting a jumper and a pair of layups to keep the momentum going.

With the team back within single digits, Eddie was true from three, making the score 65-60.

Wimbish got to the basket on the next WildCat possession and finished with the layup, suddenly pulling Randolph within a single possession.

The visitors once again relied on Hassell, as the forward ended the drought on a tip-in off of an offensive rebound.

After a pair of stops, Randolph-Macon received a layup from Lamont Moore, then hit free throws at the end to escape with an 18th straight victory.

The Yellow Jackets have clinched the top seed in the ODAC tournament, unofficially, with a 14-0 league mark so far.

Randolph is currently tied in a fight for the final playoff spots which would host first round tournament games.

Desgain shared the game's high scoring honors with 19, adding six rebounds and six assists.

Eddie finished with 14 points and Wimbish and junior Gordon Rogo each had 10.

Rogo finished with a dozen rebounds, as well, tying for game high honors and completing a double-double.

With two games left, Randolph will travel to at Emory & Henry Wednesday and return home to close the season Saturday against Washington and Lee.