LYNCHBURG, Va.- Another chapter in the Lynchburg-Randolph rivalry began on Wednesday night as they Hornets took on the WildCats in women's basketball. The two teams were neck and neck for three and a half quarters of play but Lynchburg broke away midway through the fourth quarter and came away with a 58-49 win.

The Hornets improve to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Randolph falls to 2-5 and 0-3 in the conference.

The WildCats shot 8-of-12 (66.7%) from the field in the first quarter as they trailed the Hornets 18-17. The 'Cats had a 10-5 lead with 5:37 showing on the clock but the Hornets outscored them 12-7 to take the one-point lead.

Randolph responded early on in the second quarter as it went on a 10-4 run to lead 27-22 with under five minutes left. The Hornets cut into the WildCat lead but Randolph went into the locker room ahead 27-26.

The third quarter saw the visitors take a one-point lead 32-31 under the seven minute mark. The WildCats took a one-point lead, 38-37, following a jump shot from Yanessa Cabrera (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson). The lead went back to Lynchburg as the Hornets were up 40-38 going into the final quarter.

Lanaysia Gonzalez (Richmond, Va./Goochland) knotted the game at 40-all with a layup 20 seconds into the fourth quarter. The tide began to turn in Lynchburg's favor after a technical foul on Randolph gave the Hornets two free throws and possession. Lynchburg would go ahead 44-40 and a 12-2 run staked the Hornets to a 58-42 advantage with under a minute to play as they came out with the victory in the end.

"It was an overall great defensive team effort," said head coach Steve Lanpher afterwards.  "I thought we defended and rebounded well.  We were active allowing us to win the rebounding battle.  Yanessa played her best game of the year on both ends.  Lanaysia was a strong offensive presence inside.  Unfortunately, they went on a run in the 4th and we got indecisive offensively.  Proud of our young team's effort and we will continue to grow and improve!"

Cabrera led Randolph with 16 points on 7-of-18 shooting. She pulled down five rebounds and also had three assists and three steals. Gonzalez added 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. Kalyn Banks (Clinton, Md./From the Heart Christian School) grabbed a team-high nine boards to go with her four points.

Randolph edged out Lynchburg percentage wise in overall shooting 41.8%-40.7%. Points in the paint were even at 32. The WildCats outrebounded the Hornets 39-31.

The WildCats go on the road Saturday to Eastern Mennonite. Game time will be at 2:00 p.m.