For Immediate Release – 1/14/17 - #154
Defense Powers WildCats in 62-39 Win

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College women's basketball team recorded 13 steals and held Shenandoah University to 25% shooting, on the way to defeating the Hornets 62-39 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play Saturday.

The 'Cats started the pressure right away.  Daijah Johnson stole a pass just 18 seconds in, and made her free throws after getting fouled on the fast break.  The lead continued to grow, reaching 10-0 at the 5:11 mark.  Korin Harris had the first four, before Johnson closed it off.  Randolph also posted two steals during the burst.

Shenandoah ended its drought at 4:25, but Jacqueline Hockman came right back with a jumper.  Kirstyn Arcata answered on the other end with a jumper, but Maura McMahon and Kiana Scott went back to back, which followed another SU turnover.  The Hornets hit a late free throw, ending the period with a WildCat lead of 16-5.

The second proved to be a stronger one for the guests.  Both sides traded points over the first couple of minutes, with Taylor Samuels and Hockman converting for the hosts.  Hockman's bucket pushed the lead to 20-9, but SU scored five straight to cut the margin to six.  Harris had a nice finish inside, but Shenandoah started a 7-0 burst, making it a one-point game.  However, Alexis Calloway grabbed an offensive board with 25 seconds left.  She scored to give the 'Cats a 24-21 lead at the break.

Harris started off the new stanza with a jumper, which would begin another trade of points.  Hockman had four more during the time.  But the Hornets brought the deficit to only one point with 2:31 left in the third.  However, the remaining minutes of the period would belong to Randolph.

Lauren Moore hit a corner three off a pass from Hockman to start it.  Then Calloway stole a pass on the ensuing press and finished her layup.  She added another one at 1:04, and Johnson hit two free throws before the horn sounded.  It extended the advantage to 39-29 going into the final period.

Moore kept the run going, with a tough layup and another jumper in the corner.  SU then tallied five of the next seven to bring the disadvantage to 11, but that would be the closest it would get the rest of the way.  Johnson hit a layup to start an 11-2 burst.  Scott hit a jumper, and McMahon followed it with a three-point make.  Harris and Hockman finished it off.  Shenandoah hit a three with 1:09 on the clock, but Kalyn Banks scored five points in the final minute (and Scott added a free throw), giving the 'Cats the 62-39 win.

Johnson, Hockman, and Harris all posted 10 points in the win.  Harris made it a double-double with 12 rebounds, while Johnson was just shy with nine caroms.   Johnson led the way with four steals, while Hockman had the same amount of helpers.

Along with the steals, the WildCats forced the Hornets (4-11 overall, 1-5 ODAC) into 23 turnovers.  The 'Cats also outrebounded the visitors 52-37, while shooting 41% from the field.  The team also missed only one free throw (8-9), with it coming in the final seconds of the game.

Randolph (7-8, 2-4) will head back on the road this week.  The WildCats travel to Roanoke College (6-9, 1-5) on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game.

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