For Immediate Release – 1/21/17 - #162
Fields Ties Program-Record in ODAC Win over EMU

LYNCHBURG, VA – Ryan Fields tied the program record for points in a game on Saturday, scoring most of them in the second half.  His big half, and the 56 by the Randolph College men's basketball team, helped defeat Eastern Mennonite University 90-82 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play on Saturday.

The 'Cats started quickly, scoring eight of the first 10 points.  Andy Toe scored on a nice pass from Nick Goble.  Then Goble had two easy fast break layups.  The scoring stopped shortly after, but Fields hit a jumper to put the lead at 8-2, two minutes later.  It was answered on the other end shortly after, but Reid copied with a tough layup to keep the advantage at eight.

The Royals cut the deficit to one, with a quick five-point burst, but Randolph responded in kind.  Colton Lee hit a three, and Fields added another contested jumper in the paint.  However, EMU responded with another run, scoring seven-straight to take a 16-15 advantage.  Fields tied it with a free throw, which began a trade of points that would see the game tied at 20.

Fields and Jeremiah Davis scored on layups, with Davis' being on a fast break, taking a four-point lead back.  After an Eastern Mennonite score, Jacoby hit a big three and followed it with an easy drive down the left side, pushing the lead to 29-22.  Points were traded, but with the score at 34-27, the Royals went on a 10-0 run.  It gave the visitors a 37-34 lead entering the half.

However, the second half would belong to the 'Cats, and especially Fields.  He started it off, tipping in a rebound off his own miss, seconds into the stanza.  Then Jacoby hit a jumper, which was followed by a fast break throw-down from Goble.  The Royals tallied five-straight, but Jacoby and Fields then scored two apiece, to extend the lead.

After a bucket by the visitors, the WildCats went on another run.  Jacoby, Davis, and Fields all finished from close range.  The visitors hit a three, but Chase VanHorn answered in kind.  A free throw was hit at the other end, but Colton Lee caught a pass from Fields and knocked down a three, which was followed by another Fields jumper.  EMU hit another three, but Jacoby responded, with Fields answering two visitor baskets.  Davis followed him with a layup, putting the score at 69-55.

The teams traded points, with Fields scoring all five for Randolph.  Then, EMU cut into the deficit with two threes, but Fields stopped it with a tough jumper.  Goble emphatically ended it, catching a monster alley-oop from Jacoby, and throwing it down with authority.  The teams traded points for the next two minutes, with Fields hitting a very tough, end of the shot clock, jumper.  He added free throws which pushed him to his total.  EMU hit some late shots, but the WildCats sealed the win with free throws.

Fields scored 36 in the game, with 27 coming in the second half.  He tied Colton Hunt '13 with that outpouring.  He almost had a double-double with nine rebounds.  Jacoby also had a big day, finishing with 20 points and six assists.  The team also finished shooting 55% from the field.

RaShawn Latimer led the Royals (8-9 overall, 2-5 ODAC) with 14 points.

Randolph (6-11, 3-5) will head back on the road for its next game, with it being another big ODAC clash.  The 'Cats will travel to Hampden-Sydney College (7-10, 3-5) on Wednesday, taking on the Tigers at 7 p.m.

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