FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.- The Randolph men's basketball team wrapped up play at the Cruzin Classic as they faced Coe College in an early morning game. The Kohawks defeated the WildCats 70-54.
The key stat was points off turnovers as Coe outscored Randolph 21-4. The 'Cats committed 17 turnovers to eight for the Kohawks.
Coe grabbed the lead from the get go in the first half as it led 7-2 just over three minutes in. The lead grew to eight points, 12-6, at the 13:47 mark. Randolph used an 8-0 run, keyed by back-to-back three-point baskets by Evan Makle (Dumfries, Va./Christ Chapel Academy) and Justin Lowe (Reidsville, N.C./Reidsville), to tie the game at 14-14 at 12:36.
The Kohawks grabbed the lead back but the WildCats would keep the pace. The Coe lead would fluctuate with the 'Cats getting to as close as five points, 32-27, with 3:21 left in the half. The Kohawks' 10-6 run to end the first half gave them a 42-33 lead at the break.
In the second half, the WildCats were able to reduce their deficit to seven points, 44-37, a little over two minutes in. The Kohawks' 16-2 run, however, ended any chance for the 'Cats to cut any closer as it gave Coe a 60-39 advantage with 13:33 remaining to play. The Kohawks stayed out in front for the remainder of the contest as Randolph could not trim its deficit.
Unlike their performance the day before, the WildCats faltered from behind the three point arc as they were just 5-of-22 (22.7%). Overall from the floor, Randolph was 18-of-51 (35.3%). Coe was 28-of-61 (45.9%) and 11-of-29 (37.9%) in three-point shots.
"Coe did a great job of executing throughout," said head coach Pete Hamilton. "Yesterday we hung our hat on making New Paltz uncomfortable and I don't think we got that same result today defensively. Our guys were ready to play - we just need to do a better job of responding and staying the course when opponents make some plays early."
On the positive side, the WildCats outrebounded the Kohawks 37-33. Randolph also outscored the Kohawk bench 34-22.
"I was proud of the way our guys battled and stayed enthusiastic through a game that I just don't think we had our best stuff," Hamilton stated. "We can learn from this one and become a little sharper in certain areas offensively. It was encouraging to hear our guys in huddles and on the court with no quit in them when things just weren't bouncing our way."
Makle led the 'Cats with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Lowe added eight points on the day as did CJ Loving (Madison Heights, Va./Amherst County) who also grabbed a team-best 11 rebounds. Brian Smith (Dumfries, Va./C.D Hylton) chipped in six points, four rebounds, and four assists. Tyren Hairston (Kernerville, N.C./East Forsyth High School) and RJ Walker (Bristow, Va./Kettle Run) both picked up five rebounds to go with four points and two points, respectively.
"Evan gave us a nice lift off the bench," Hamilton noted. "I think we are starting to really like that role he's settled into and hope we can continue to rely on that spark moving forward. Tyren Hairston and RJ Walker gained some great experience today as well. Those guys will be needed in stretches as we hit ODAC play after break and it was nice to see them execute some for us today."
Randolph's overall record now sits at 5-7 overall. The WildCats are now idle for the holiday and return to action on January 4 as they travel to Shenandoah to face the Hornets in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play.
