LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team had to wait a little longer to start their 2021 season as the WildCats hosted Ferrum on Friday night. Both teams were tight throughout the night and the game had to be settled in overtime where the WildCats came out with a 72-70 victory.

Randolph got out to an 8-2 lead in the opening minutes buoyed by back-to-back three-point shots by Natalie Clark (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) and Imani Reid (Minneapolis, Minn./Armstrong). The Panthers got a boost of their own with a run of three straight three-point buckets to go up 11-8 with 6:14 left in the quarter. Ferrum would go on to lead 17-15 at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw the lead change nine times. The score was tied 28-28 with 2:10 to play in the frame. A three-pointer from Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) and a jump shot by Reid helped give the 'Cats the halftime lead 33-30.

In the third quarter, Randolph went ahead by six points, 36-30, 10 seconds into the period. Ferrum was able to whittle the WildCat advantage down to one, 37-36, at 7:05. The WildCat lead was no more than five and was down to two at the end of third period.

The two teams exchanged leads in the fourth quarter. The Panthers started to pull away as they led by four points, 60-56, with 2:21 left in the contest. Randolph sank four free throws to knot the contest at 60-60 with 20 seconds remaining. Ferrum's Kayla Cabiness converted a layup with three ticks left but following a timeout, Elizabeth Ellen (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) was able to find Lanaysia Gonzalez (Richmond, Va./Goochland) under the basket for the layup to tie the game at 62-62. Gonzalez was fouled and missed the subsequent free throw attempt as the clock expired.

The WildCats started the extra period with a three-point basket by O'Neil and jumper by Ellen giving Randolph a five-point advantage. The 'Cats outscored the Panthers 10-8 in the overtime period to come away with the win.

There were 15 lead changes in the game and 11 ties. Ferrum led in the paint 28-22 and in second chance points 15-6. The WildCats were 24-of-54 (44.4%) from the floor to Ferrum's 24-of-69 (34.8%). Randolph was efficient from beyond the three-point arc going 7-of-17 (41.2%). The WildCats shot 50% or better in three of the five periods.

Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) had an impressive collegiate debut for Randolph as she led with 24 points while adding nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. O'Neil put up 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Gonzalez added 10 points and 14 rebounds.

"Really proud of our overall  team effort tonight," said head coach Steve Lanpher. "We embraced the opportunity of getting to play in our first game.  We came out with a lot of passion & energy and kept battling through.  Imani Reid handled the point guard duties and distributed the ball effectively.  Kylie Stark came up huge as she led us with 24 in her collegiate debut.  I Love her competitiveness and love for the game.  Lanaysia had her first career double double with 14 rebounds & 10 pts!  Cameron O'Neil was a sniper tonight with five 3's and 17 points." 

Randolph will head to Randolph-Macon on Tuesday. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.