For immediate release – 1/16/2016 - #156
WildCats Drop Thriller to Marlins

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team had the ball with one minute remaining and the score tied, but fell to Virginia Wesleyan College 66-65 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play on Saturday.

The WildCats started the game very strongly.  Josh Freund hit two from close, while Zach Desgain and Jason Eddie also tallied to put the 'Cats up 8-3 after two-plus minutes.  The Marlins came right back, tying the score at 8-8, after a traditional three-point play by Khory Moore.

The teams then went back and forth as the defensive play picked up on both sides.  But every time either side took a little lead, the other team answered.  Freund took a 17-16 lead at 11:15, but Keijon Honore scored on the other end to retake the VWC advantage.  Gordon Rogo then retook the lead, but it was short lived as Justin Watson made a three for the Marlins.

VWC used the momentum to go on a small 9-4 run to extend its advantage to 30-23.  But Randolph stormed right back with a quick four-point burst, which included an and-one by Freund.  The teams once again traded baskets at the end of half, giving the Marlins a 35-31 lead at the intermission.

Both coaching staffs preached defense during halftime as play picked up on that side for both teams in the second stanza.  The teams scored early as the 'Cats cut the lead to three at 17:06 after a pair of free throws by Ryan Fields.  Then Jason Eddie scored back-to-back baskets, as Randolph took a 41-40 lead with 15:04 remaining.

Following a pair from the line by Virginia Wesleyan, Remele Hicks hit two and Freund and Fields connected from two to put the lead at 47-42.  But the Marlins answered with a run to tie the game at 48-all.

The evenly matched sides once again exchanged points for the next several minutes.  VWC scored primarily from the line, making free throws, while the WildCats responded on the other end with key baskets coming from Freund and Desgain.

With 3:03 remaining, the Marlins took the lead at 60-59 off a basket by Corey White.  Then on the other end, Randolph executed perfectly and Corey Brown hit a three off a pass from Desgain.  Aaron Sturdifen made two after being fouled by Rogo to tie the score with 2:02 left.

The 'Cats missed the ensuing jumper, but Desgain stole the ball down the other end.  However, on the following possession, Moore copied his fellow All-ODAC performer and converted the layup to push the lead.  Randolph then grabbed several rebounds on the offensive end but could not tie the game.  Virginia Wesleyan eventually gained possession and hit two from the line to put the lead to four.  Desgain hit a three, but it was at the buzzer and the game ended with a win for the visitors.

Freund posted a double-double with 12 rebounds and a career-high 23 points.  Desgain added 10 points, five rebounds, and extended his lead in career assists, as he posted eight helpers.  Moore led the Marlins (10-4 overall, 5-1 ODAC) with 15 points.  Tim Jones added 14, while Sturdifen posted 10.

Randolph (8-7, 2-4) will end its short two-game homestand on Wednesday night.  The WildCats welcome ODAC foe Hampden-Sydney College for a 7 p.m. tip.

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