ROANOKE, Va.- It was a game that featured 30 ties and 28 lead changes. The Randolph women's basketball team found itself in a battle with host Hollins on Wednesday night. The two teams played to an extra period and Hollins made one of two free throws in the final seconds to edge out the WildCats 61-58.
The score was tied 12-12 after the first quarter. Hollins would go on to take a 22-18 lead with 4:33 left in the second quarter. Randolph then went on a 13-2 run, with Yanessa Cabrera (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) making five of six free throws in the last 36 seconds of the quarter to go into the locker room ahead 30-24.
The WildCats added to their lead in the early portion of the third period as Lanaysia Gonzalez (Richmond, Va./Goochland) converted a layup and Kalyn Banks (Clinton, Md./From the Heart Christian School) made one of two free throws to put Randolph on top 33-24 just under the nine minute mark. That lead disappeared as Hollins scored nine straight points to tie the game at 33-all with under five minutes left in the quarter. The 'Cats went back ahead on a Cabrera layup. Randolph still had a two-point lead with 47 ticks left but a three by Hollins' Serena Lytton put the home team up 40-39 going into the final quarter of play.
Hollins built up its lead in the fourth quarter as it went up 48-41 with five minutes left in regulation. The WildCats' 11-4 run covering four and half minutes of game time, with Cameron O'Neil's (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) jumper with nine seconds tying the game at 52-52, would second the contest into overtime.
Cabrera's jumper to begin overtime gave Randolph a two-point lead. Hollins tied but the WildCats stayed out it in front with two pairs of free throws by Lindsey Marshall (Stuart, Va./Patrick County) sandwiching a Lytton jumper. The 'Cats led 58-56 with 17 seconds left but Kayla Surles sank two free throw shots to tie it up at 58-58 with nine seconds left. A foul by Banks put Surles on the line with three seconds remaining. Surles made the first attempt but missed the second and Banks came down with the rebound. Banks hurried down the court and heaved a desperation three-point shot that was off the mark.
"Heck of a basketball game," said head coach Steve Lanpher. "I thought defensively we did a great job taking away their perimeter shooting for the most part. As a young team, we have got to still learn how to keep the foot on the gas. We got tentative offensively in the 2nd half but proud of our heart and effort after Lanaysia and Yanessa got hurt and left the game. Really proud of my team and their effort. We will learn from this tough loss and continue to battle & improve!"
Cabrera scored a career-high 23 points on the evening. She was 6-of-14 from the field and 11-of-13 from the charity stripe. She dished out four assists and came away with five steals. Banks added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Randolph was 19-of-51 (37.3%) from the field and Hollins 21-of-63 (33.3%). The WildCats controlled the paint with a 28-18 advantage. The 'Cats led in rebounds 42-34.
The WildCats host Guilford this Saturday. Game time will be at 4:30 following the men's game.
