LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball hosted Salem in non-conference action at Giles Gymnasium on Wednesday. A strong second and third periods helped carry the WildCats to a 62-37 win over the Spirits.
Randolph remains undefeated so far this the season at 3-0. It is the team's best start since the 2014-15 season.
The WildCats got out to a slow start in the first quarter as they trailed at one point 9-4 with three minutes remaining in the period. A layup by Nafi Thiam (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) and a free throw by Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) closed the 'Cats to within two points at 9-7.
Randolph fell behind 11-9 with 6:50 to play in the second quarter. From there, the WildCats went on a 21-1 run for the remainder of the quarter to jump out ahead 29-12. The Spirits went 0-6 from the field during that stretch.
The WildCats dominated in the third quarter. Salem's first field goal of the period came with 7:03 showing on the game clock. Randolph still outscored Salem 21-8. The game was well in hand in the fourth quarter despite Salem outscoring the WildCats 17-12.
Randolph outscored Salem 20-15 in points off turnovers, 15-4 in second-chance points, 30-18 in points in the paint, and 31-18 in bench points. The WildCats shot 22-of-69 (31.9%) from the floor compared to 11-of-46 (23.9%) for the Spirits. Randolph outrebounded Salem 56-44.
"I was worried coming into game as we were playing our 3rd game in 5 days," said head coach Steve Lanpher after the game. "We got off to a sluggish start on both ends. I thought we settled for too many three's early. We talked about how our defensive energy must be constant & I felt like we limited them offensively and then in the second quarter we were able to find our rhythm. The 2nd quarter we picked up our defensive intensity and dominated with a 22-3 run."
Three WildCats reached double figures led by Kylie Stark's (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Natalie Clark (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) scored 13 points off the bench in 11 minutes of game time. She was 3-of-4 from the floor including going 3-for-3 from behind the three-point arc. Cierra Cook (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) added 10 points.
Madi Tyree (Forest, Va./Brookville) and Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) both pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Alexis Kiser (Floyd, Va./Floyd County) finished with six points, five rebounds, and four assists.
"Alexis Kiser, Madi Tyree and Natalie Clark were great off the bench," noted Lanpher. "Kiser defended well and had a team high four assists. Madi gave us instant energy & locked up the middle in our zone and Natalie provided us with a huge spark scoring 13 off the bench. After early foul trouble Kylie found her rhythm with 14 points, 5 rebounds and two steals."
Randolph will next travel to Williamsburg on Sunday to face Division I William and Mary. Game time will be at 2:00 p.m.
