For immediate release – 1/7/2016 - #150
Randolph Puts Four in Double-Figures but fall to E&H

EMORY, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team had four different members of the team score double-digits, but fell to Emory & Henry College 91-75 on Saturday in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tilt.

The hosts earned an early four-point lead, but the 'Cats fought back right away.  Nick Goble hit a free throw and a layup to bring Randolph within one.  After an E&H bucket, Ryan Fields knocked down a jumper to bring the visitors within one again.

However, it was at this point that the Wasps went on a run to build their advantage.  The team hit back-to-back threes, but Reid Jacoby answered to cut it.  But that was countered, as Emory & Henry scored 11 of 13, with an Andy Toe jumper the lone bucket for the WildCats.

The teams began to exchange points.  Despite a three from Colton Lee and a two by Fields, the deficit grew to 15.  At that point, Randolph made a comeback attempt, as Drew Hayden sunk one from behind the arc.  The Wasps hit a single free throw, but Toe responded with a pair from the charity stripe.  Jacoby then cut the margin to eight (33-25) with another shot from distance.  Fields hit two more free throws to bring the score to 33-27 with 2:25 left in the half.

But Emory & Henry went on a late run to extend the lead back to 13.  However, Jeremiah Davis added a layup at the buzzer to bring the score to 40-29 at the half.

The 'Cats staged another comeback attempt at the beginning of the second stanza.  Toe hit a quick field goal.  It was answered by a three on the other end, but Brian Smith copied the Wasps' action with his own.  Then Goble and Toe used some nice high-low action, as Toe made the deficit seven.

But Emory & Henry scored four-straight pushing things back to 11 again.  Chase VanHorn ended the mini-burst with a layup, and it began a series of points going back and forth.  Fields hit several free throws to answer the Wasps, and Hayden knocked down another three after a traditional three-point play on the other side.

Jacoby followed a pair from the home line with an and-one, bringing the score to 58-48.  Hayden added four more (another three included), while the hosts hit two more jumpers.  However, E&H used an 11-4 run to build its lead to 17.  The WildCats would cut it to 16 on several occasions over the final minutes, but the Wasps would hold on for the win.

Fields and Toe led the 'Cats with 14 apiece, with It being a career-high for Toe.  Hayden added 12 off the bench, while Jacoby rounded out the group with 11.  Jacoby added eight assists, while Fields pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.  Chase Branscomb posted game-highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Wasps (9-4 overall, 3-1 ODAC).

Randolph (4-9, 1-3) returns home on Wednesday for another ODAC matchup.  The WildCats will welcome Guilford College (11-2, 4-0) for the 7 p.m. tip-off.

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