For Immediate Release – 2/4/17 - #175
WildCats Hang Tough with R-MC, Fall Late

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team played the top team in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) on Saturday.  The WildCats played Randolph-Macon College tight, but fell in the end, 85-66.

The visitors earned the early lead, going up 7-3, with Chase VanHorn connecting from deep.  After Nick Goble finished a layup, R-MC added seven of the next nine (Ryan Fields had the basket).  However, at that point, the 'Cats used a small run to cut down the deficit.  Jeremiah Davis scored on a fast break off of a nice pass from Reid Jacoby.  Fields then went back-to-back after a Yellow Jacket basket, bringing the score to 16-13.

Randolph-Macon hit a jumper, but its lead would shrink after the media timeout.  Fields hit a pair from the line, and it was answered, but Jacoby knocked down a shot from behind the arc.  Fields hit another free throw bringing the margin to one.  The Yellow Jackets answered with a three, but Davis and Drew Hayden combined to tie the score at 23-all.

The Yellow Jackets fired back with an 11-3 burst (Jacoby had all of them for the 'Cats).  It would set up a trade of points.  Goble and Fields combined for the next four, before Daniel Noe and Korey Tuner scored six on the other end.  However, Jacoby knocked down a three in the final seconds, with the score being 40-33 at the half.

R-MC extended the advantage early on in the second, outscoring Randolph 6-3, but the WildCats began a long run that would see them narrow the gap.  Jacoby hit another three, which was partially cancelled out.  Fields, Goble, and Davis combined for five free throws, bringing the score to 48-44.  Points were traded, including Brian Smith hitting a three, which was in response to a three-point play from Noe.

After a timeout, the Yellow Jackets went on an 8-0 burst, including an and-one by Noe, which extended the lead to 61-49.  Hayden ended it with a layup, but the visitors pushed the advantage with the next four.

VanHorn followed it with a layup, and then three points were exchanged.  Andy Toe finished the and-one for the 'Cats.  However, Noe hit a shot from behind the arc, which started an 8-1 run, that was ended by a Colton Lee three.  But the guests scored five more, all but sealing the win.  Fields, Davis, and Hayden Goins all added two points late, but it would not be enough.

Fields and Jacoby both finished in double-figures, scoring 19 and 13 respectively.  Davis and Goble each had seven points and six rebounds.  Jacoby also added seven assists, while Fields dished out five dimes.  Noe ended with a game-high 25 points for the Yellow Jackets (15-6 overall, 11-1 ODAC).

Randolph (7-14, 4-8) begins a two-game road trip on Wednesday.  However, the first tilt will feature a short travel day, as the WildCats only need to trek across town to take on Lynchburg College (11-9, 5-6).  Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

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