For immediate release – 2/17/2016 - #194
WildCats Fall in Close One

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team dropped a tightly contested game on Wednesday night, falling to Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) rival Emory & Henry College 61-58.  The back and forth affair, featured 13 lead changes, four ties, and neither team held a double-digit lead.

Thanks to early dishes by Corey Brown, the WildCats took a 5-0 lead off of an easy-Josh Freund layup and a wide open three by Zach Desgain.  However, as stated above, the Wasps would answer.  Three different players combined to score seven points, with John Shelor knocking one down from distance.

Following four points by the 'Cats, E&H went on a 10-4 run that stretched over five minutes.  Freund hit two baskets for the home side during that time.  However, Randolph responded, as Seth Wimbish made a nice move and finished at the basket.  He then hit from distance on the next possession as Freund found him to take the 18-17 lead.

The WildCats used the momentum to go on a run of their own.  Jason Eddie made a three, before Desgain added four points.  Chase Branscomb made a three-point shot, but Freund extended the advantage to 27-20 with 3:24 remaining.

Neither team scored over the next minute, but the final two minutes would see Eddie score five for the hosts.  Branscomb and Clif Conley combined for six, as Randolph took a 32-26 lead into the intermission.

Desgain hit two early free throws in the second after Emory & Henry was whistled for a technical foul.  The visitors turned the 'T' into momentum and scored six straight to cut the deficit to two.  However, Eddie made a big three to extend the 'Cats lead to five.

E&H then went on another burst (8-0) to take its first lead in over 15 minutes.  But as was the story the whole game, the other side responded.  Rhyle Scott made a great drive to score at the basket, and Desgain followed him with a tough layup, giving Randolph the advantage back.  Freund extended it to three shortly after.

The visitors then scored four in a row, putting the score at 44-43 in favor of the visitors with 9:47 left.  Eddie hit two from the charity stripe and Brown made a three around an E&H basket to give the WildCats two more leads.  Desgain sunk two from line after another technical due to too many players on the court.

The Wasps then regained the advantage after Branscomb and Shelor each hit shots.  But Freund was there to take it back with a tough finish at the basket, and the and-one free throw.  However, the two Emory & Henry players scored five straight to take a three point lead.  The teams then exchanged free throws.

Desgain hit a three with five seconds left to cut the deficit to one.  Myles Turner hit two free throws, and the 'Cats had a chance to tie it but the shot at the buzzer was off target.

Desgain led the WildCats with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds.  Freund added 15, while Eddie tallied 13.  The team also had eight steals.  Branscomb led the Wasps (14-10 overall, 8-7 ODAC) with 15 points, while Shelor added 13.

Randolph (13-11, 7-8) will finish its regular season at home on Saturday.  The WildCats will play Washington and Lee University (10-14, 3-12) at 2 p.m.  Eddie, Desgain, Brown, Wimbish, Evan Horn, and Lucas Smith will be honored before the game.

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