For Immediate Release – 2/11/17 - #185
Randolph Drops ODAC Contest at EMU

HARRISONBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team traveled to Eastern Mennonite University for an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tilt on Saturday.  The WildCats fell to the Royals, 94-63.

The WildCats started the game quickly, as Colton Lee knocked down the initial three.  After two free throws on the other end by the hosts, Ryan Fields and Andy Toe combined for three points, giving the team a 6-2 lead.  However, the Royals scored 10 in a row to flip the lead.

Drew Hayden stopped the run with a jumper, and Fields followed suit, bringing the 'Cats within two points.  But EMU answered with seven-straight to open the margin back up.  Nick Goble sandwiched an opposing three wiht two layups, keeping the deficit in single digits.  Fields and Jeremiah Davis then added two apiece, to bring the game back within four.

At that point, Eastern Mennonite went on a commanding run.  The Royals outscored the WildCats 23-7 over the final minutes of the half.  Toe, Fields, and Lee combined for the seven, but the hosts went into the half with a 45-25 lead.

The 'Cats came out of the break very strong.  Fields converted an and-one just 15 seconds in.  Goble and Reid Jacoby followed him with baskets, bringing the margin to 13.  However, the Royals copied the WildCats with their own 7-0 burst, before Brian Smith knocked down a three.

After that three, the teams began to trade baskets.  Hayden hit a two and a three, while Smith connected from deep again, bringing the deficit to 17.  But the hosts went on another burst, tallying 10 of 12 (Toe made a layup), pushing the score to 70-45.

The teams exchanged points again, until the Royals made one last run.  The 'Cats made a final push, with Lee hitting twice from deep, but it would not be enough.

Lee led the WildCats with 12 points in the game.  Toe had 11 off the bench, while Fields chipped in 10.  Jacoby assisted on seven shots, while Goble and Fields each led the team with seven rebounds.  RaShawn Latimer finished with a game-high 21 points for Eastern Mennonite (10-13 overall, 4-10 ODAC).

Randolph (7-16, 4-10) completes its regular season home slate on Wednesday night.  The WildCats host Washington and Lee University (8-15, 4-10) at 7 p.m. in what will be a pivotal game for seeding purposes.

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