For immediate release – 1/2/2016 - #145
'Cats Comeback Comes Up Short at Averett

DANVILLE, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team shrunk a nine-point deficit to two in the waning moments of the game, but could not complete the comeback win over Averett University on Saturday.  The Cougars won the nonconference matchup 71-67.

With both teams having not played in over 10 days because of the holidays, the first half began slowly.  AU had an early 4-0 lead, but the WildCats responded with four straight, as Rhyle Scott and Josh Freund tallied.  The sides then traded baskets until 12-11.  At that point, Ryan Fields converted an and-one to put Randolph up 15-11.  Remele Hicks followed with a jumper of his own, giving the 'Cats a six-point advantage.

However, the Cougars went on a 9-2 run, to take a one-point lead.  Zach Desgain came down and scored to retake the advantage, but it would be short-lived.  Averett continued its strong streak, with 10 straight, before Freund scored off a pass from Corey Brown to stop the streak.  The teams then traded points the rest of the half, as Averett entered the intermission with a 38-28 lead.

The WildCats came out of the break strong, as once again Scott and Freund did their damage.  Scott notched a traditional three-point play before Freund finished a Desgain pass to cut the deficit to five.  But once again, the Cougars responded with seven of the next nine to push their advantage back to ten with 16:52 on the clock.

The teams exchanged points for the rest of the middle portion of the half.  The smallest the lead got over the next several minutes was five after Seth Wimbish hit a layup with 7:52 on the clock.  But soon after, the Cougars extended it once again to 10, as Bradley Robinson converted a four-point play with 4:54 left.

However the 'Cats then went on their last ditch run.  Desgain and Scott combined to help Randolph on a quick 6-3 run to bring the score to 67-60 with 1:52 left.  Following a timeout, the Cougars' Charles Bryant made a layup pushing the lead back to nine.  But the WildCats continued to fight.  Desgain made a pair from the stripe, and Evan Horn stole the ensuing inbounds.  Desgain then found Reid Jacoby in the corner and he nailed the shot, cutting the deficit to four.

Devontae Pannell traveled when he caught the following inbounds, giving the ball back to Randolph.  Carter Jones then fouled Freund before the ball was inbounded.  He sunk the two free throws to bring the 'Cats within two.  The WildCats made a stop down the other end, but could not score during the remainder of the game, falling 71-67.

Freund led three 'Cats in double-figures with 14 points.  Desgain had 12 and Wimbish added 11 off the bench.  Desgain dished out eight assists.  Randolph finished the game shooting 53.7% from the floor.

Trevor West had a game-high 17 for the Cougars (9-2 overall).  Robinson and Bryant also finished in double-figures for Averett.

The WildCats (7-4) play their first home game in over a month this coming Wednesday.  Randolph will take on Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) rival Guilford College (6-5) at 7 p.m.

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