LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team began its 2019-20 season on Saturday as the WildCats hosted Meredith. The game was tight through three quarters of play but the Avenging Angels outscored the 'Cats 23-12 in the final quarter to win 63-50.
The teams were tied at 12-all at the end of the first quarter. Randolph went ahead at the 8:40 mark of the second period on a three-point basket by Corrinne Anderson (Amelia, Va./Blessed Sacramento Hugenot). Meredith answered with a three of its own to once again tie the game up. With the Avenging Angels ahead 23-20 with 3:11 remaining in the quarter, a layup by Lanaysia Gonzalez (Richmond, Va./Goochland) got the Wildcats to within a point and then Kalyn Banks (Clinton, Md./From the Heart Christian School) nailed a three to give Randolph the lead with 2:15 remaining that it would hold at the break.
Meredith started the second half on a 10-2 run to go up 33-27. Randolph was able to stay with the Avenging Angels and only trailed by two points, 40-38, going into the final quarter of play.
A layup by Gonzalez with 7:02 showing on the clock got the WildCats to within one point, 48-47. An 8-0 Meredith run, however, put the visitors head 56-47 with 4:14 left and gave them a lead they would not relinquish.
Overall, Meredith shot 22-of-61 (36.1%) compared to 18-of-62 (29%) for Randolph. The WildCats did get a boost from their bench as they outscored the Avenging Angels 24-11 in that category. Meredith led in points in the paint 36-26.
Banks led the WildCats with 13 points and eight rebounds. In her collegiate debut, Gonzalez added 10 points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots.
"It was a great effort and our inexperience showed true in the 4th as we didn't execute as well as Meredith," said head coach Steve Lanpher after the game. "The difference came down to rebounding and Meredith's experience. "We'll evaluate and continue to grow. I saw a lot of potential today!"
Randolph goes on the road to Methodist University on Wednesday. Game time will be at 7:00 p.m.
