For immediate release – 1/2/2016 - #146
WildCats Open Up New Year in Big Way

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College women's basketball team used a 19-5 first period run to help push the WildCats to an 86-40 win over nonconference foe Mary Baldwin College on Saturday.

The 'Cats jumped out to a very quick lead.  Abigail Bullins scored just 18 seconds in on a drive to the basket.  Taylor Samuels then added six in-a-row, thanks to a smothering defense and great ball movement.  Juanaysa Singletary made a jumper at 6:53 to stop the run, but Randolph answered.

Hope Randolph hit a layup on a fastbreak, with Samuels feeding her.  Alexis Calloway made two from the stripe, before Rebecca Harvey knocked one down from deep, bringing the score to 15-2.  Kaybria Johnson made a free throw, but it was followed by a Jacqueline Hockman layup and two free throws from Darian Thornton.  Annicia Woods scored before the horn, bringing the score to 19-5 at the end of the first.

Harvey started the second off with a make from close range, before Singletary and Kaybria Johnson combined for four points, bringing the Fighting Squirrels within 11.  But Randolph scored 17 straight, as seven different 'Cats combined to stretch the lead to 28.  MBC scored five in a row, but Bullins and Harvey knocked down jump shots before the half, giving the 'Cats a 42-15 lead.

It was the same story coming out of the intermission.  Bullins made a layup, which was answered by Mary Baldwin forward Teanna Peavy.  Three WildCats then scored to bring the lead to 50-17.  The Fighting Squirrels came back and hit several free throws around a Thornton layup to bring the score to 52-23.  But the 'Cats finished the period scoring 13 of 16 to take a commanding lead into the fourth.  The fourth period saw more of the same and every player on the team tallied in the WildCats' 86-40 victory.

Harvey once again led the team, tying her high of 16 points.  Samuels (14), Korin Harris (12), and Bullins (10) joined her in double-digits.  Harris also notched a double-double with 12 boards, while Calloway pulled in 11. 

The team did a great job sharing the ball, finishing with 22 assists.  The defense also shown very brightly, getting 18 steals, six blocks, and holding the Fighting Squirrels to 14-65 shooting from the floor.

Peavy grabbed 12 rebounds for MBC (0-10 overall).  Singletary led the Fighting Squirrels with 10 points.

Randolph (2-9) will head on the road Wednesday.  The WildCats will take on Guilford College (8-1) at 7 p.m. as they return to Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play.

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