VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The Randolph men's basketball team took on #15 Virginia Wesleyan in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference game on Saturday. A close halftime score gave way to the Marlins overtaking the WildCats in the second half on their way to 72-53 victory.

The WildCats found themselves behind early in the first half as they trailed 8-1. Randolph was down by as much as 10 points, 13-3, with 12:39 showing on the clock. The 'Cats found their way back in as an 11-3 run got them to 15-14 with 5:08 remaining in the half. After the Marlins converted a layup, Randolph again closed to two thanks to a pair of free throws from Tyren Hairston (Kernersville, N.C./East Forsyth High). The Marlins outscored the WildCats 5-2 in the last 1:43 to lead 23-18 at the break.

In the second half, Randolph trailed 27-23 at the 18:11. Down by six under the 16-minute mark, Virginia Wesleyan used a 15-2 run to go ahead 50-31 with 11:45 remaining. The WildCats could only get as close as 12 points as the Marlins maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the half.

Overall, the WildCats were 22-of-60 (36.7%) from the floor and in the second half alone were 16-of-31 (51.6%). The Marlins shot 29-of-64 overall (45.3%).

The rebounding edge went to the Marlins 42-29. Virginia Wesleyan did commit two more turnovers than the WildCats did (15-13) and the 'Cats were able to use that to an 18-11 advantage in points off of turnovers. Randolph led in bench points 16-9 while points in the paint slightly favored the Marlins 36-34.

Justin Dula (Taylorsville, N.C./Alexander Central) had his fourth-double of the season as he led the WildCats with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Evan Makle (Dumfries, Va./Christ Chapel Academy) added nine points and Jerry Goodman (Suffolk, Va./Portsmouth Christian School) seven. Brian Smith (Dumfries, Va./C.D. Hylton) finished with three points, five steals, and four rebounds.

Randolph hosts Bridgewater this coming Wednesday at the RAD Center. Game time will be at 7:00 p.m.