For immediate release – 1/30/2016 - #170
WildCats Lose in Heartbreaking OT

LYNCHBURG, VA – Malcolm Clark hit two free throws with 3.3 seconds on the clock to help Shenandoah University defeat the Randolph College men's basketball team 65-63 on Saturday.  The WildCats put up a desperation three to win the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) game, but it was off target.

The 'Cats started the game off quickly, as Corey Brown caught a swing from Jason Eddie and connected from three only 12 seconds in.  But points would be a little harder to come by the rest of the period for both teams.  SU did not get on the board until 17:01 off a three by Clark, but it tied the score.

Each team hit another shot from deep over the next four minutes, before the WildCats went on a small, Rhyle Scott four-point burst.  It was answered on the next two possessions bringing the tie back to 10.  Once, again the two sides traded runs with the Hornets taking a two-point lead after a three by E.J. Baltimore.

However, Randolph came straight back with seven in a row.  Brown had four, while Eddie added a hit from downtown.  Shenandoah answered, and each side would exchange a series of points before the half, as the WildCats led 25-24.

The second half saw the offenses come alive.  After an initial basket by Thomas Walker, Randolph ripped off 12 of 15.  Zach Desgain and Eddie hit threes, while Ryan Fields scored six.  The sides traded points over the next four minutes until the Hornets tallied four straight, bringing the deficit down to five.

Once again, the teams went back and forth with baskets, until Eddie knocked down another shot from beyond the arc.  It gave Randolph a 44-37 lead with 9:30 left.  Clark scored again, but it was followed right after by a layup from Eddie.  Brown then hit one of two to put the WildCats up 50-41 with 5:42 left.

It was at that point that SU made a large push.  The Hornets scored eight straight to take the lead back.  But, Fields knocked down a three-pointer and Eddie scored off a pass from Desgain to push the advantage back to four with 2:50 remaining.

Following two free throws by each side, Baltimore hit a three to put the score at 57-56.  After Randolph made one from the stripe, Clark finished around the basket with 0.4 on the clock to send the game into overtime.

Almost two minutes went off before either team scored, as Clark and Brown each hit two from the stripe.  Kelsey Thomas then hit a big three.  The WildCats responded with three free throws to tie the score at 63.  Clark then drove on the final possession and was fouled, setting up the winning free throws.

Eddie led three 'Cats in double-figures with 15 points.  Fields added 14 and Brown finished with 13.  Desgain put a solid stat line together of six points, seven assists, and seven rebounds.  Clark finished with a game-high of 19 points for the Hornets (4-15 overall, 1-9 ODAC).

Saturday's game also served as the Cancer Awareness Game for the women's basketball team.  The WildCats wore green and teal tie-dye shirts during warmups to raise awareness for Lymphoma and Ovarian Cancer.  If you would like to help support the cause go to http://www.randolphwildcats.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/20160128f4a6fw.

Randolph (10-9, 4-6) will head back on the road for two games next week.  The first will be on Wednesday at Virginia Wesleyan College (13-6, 8-2) at 7 p.m.

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