For Immediate Release – 11/30/16 - #130
BC Scores in Final Seconds to defeat Randolph

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team fell in agonizing fashion on Wednesday to Bridgewater College.  The Eagles scored the go-ahead basket with 16 seconds left, on the way to winning 63-60 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action.

The 'Cats got out to a quick lead as Ryan Fields found Brian Smith deep and Nick Goble around the basket.  Both converted for the 5-0 start.  But the visitors answered immediately, in what would be a tight contest the rest of the way.

Following back-to-back threes by BC, Drew Hayden made a jumper to retake the early lead.  It would be tied or change hands four times in the next four minutes.  Andy Toe then hit one of two at the line, before Chase VanHorn made a tough layup at 11:01 to once again put Randolph up three.

Bridgewater pulled it back after four-straight, but Toe answered with a nice face-up jumper to take back the advantage.  The Eagles responded with a small run.  Despite a shot from behind the arc by James Canady and another layup by Goble, BC held a six-point lead with 3:26 left.

However, the WildCats answered right away with a burst of their own.  Hayden got it started by connecting from deep, while Goble had another strong finish down low.  Fields hit a free throw and VanHorn followed with a three to make it 29-26 in favor of the hosts.  Bridgewater tied it with 22 seconds left, but Fields gave the 'Cats the 31-29 lead at the half after driving through the visitor's defense and finishing the layup.

Runs were exchanged by both teams throughout the second stanza.  After a Hayden jumper, BC scored 10 of 13 (Hayden hit a three) to once again take a narrow three-point advantage.  The WildCats counted with five-straight including a traditional three-point play by Fields to go up two.  But, five points went right back the other way, with the lead changing hands once again.

However, at 12:36, Fields started another burst for Randolph, hitting a jumper.  Goble kept things going with another bucket near the rim, and Hayden finished it off with three-straight baskets, as the WildCats went up 51-44.  Once again, the Eagles responded and tied the score at 51 with 6:21 remaining.  Eight of the next 11 went to the 'Cats as VanHorn made another three and Toe put the score at 59-54 with 3:41 left.

But the WildCats could only find one more point over the final minutes.  Bridgewater called a timeout with the ball with 26 seconds left, and Bryce Boggs drove to the basket and scored the winner.  Essex Thompson then hit two free throws with six seconds left to seal the win. 

Hayden led the WildCats with a career-high of 16 points.  Two other members of the team scored in double-figures.  Goble (12) and VanHorn (11) each added career-highs as well.  Essex Thompson led the Eagles (3-2 overall, 2-0 ODAC) with 18 points.

To show the closeness of the contest, there were seven ties and 15 lead changes in the game.

Randolph (1-4, 0-1) remains at home for the next two games.  The WildCats host Ferrum College (3-3) in a nonconference game on Saturday.  As it will be the second game of a doubleheader, tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m. but may be later based on the women's game.

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