LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball made the short trip across town to face cross-city and conference rival Lynchburg on Wednesday evening. The Hornets contained the WildCat offensive threat as they won 45-31.
Randolph drops to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the ODAC. Lynchburg improves to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
The Hornets jumped on top of the 'Cats in the first quarter as they led 15-3. Randolph started to turn it around in the second quarter. The WildCats were able to cut their deficit down to single digits, eight points, as they trailed 22-14 at the break.
The WildCats closed the score to a two-possession game with the first basket of the third quarter to make it 22-16. Lynchburg briefly had a double-digit advantage, 30-19, with 3:22 remaining in the period but the 'Cats clawed their way back as a 7-2 run, with Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) supplying a pair of three-point baskets, restoring the score again to a two-possession game, 32-26, going into the final quarter of play.
It was a still a two-possession contest, 36-30, with 4:07 remaining in regulation after a layup by Simone Brown (Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor). From that point, the Hornets would outscore the WildCats 9-1 down the stretch to pull away and claim the win. Randolph was 0-6 from the field in the final 3:44 of game time.
The WildCats shot 8-of-53 (15.1%) overall from the field and 3-of-21 (14.3%) from behind the three point arc. The Hornets shot 14-of-51 overall (27.5%) and just 2-of-13 (15.4%) in three point attempts.
"It was a tough, hard fought defensive game tonight," said head coach Steven Lanpher after the game. I was proud of our effort and energy especially on the defensive end. Obviously, we struggled shooting the ball tonight and that was difference."
O'Neil led the 'Cats with nine points. Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) added six points and 10 rebounds. Brown also finished with 10 rebounds to go with four points.
Randolph is idle until December 19 when it travels to the nation's capital to face Gallaudet. Game time will be at 1:00 p.m.
"This should serve as a great learning experience for us to continue to grow as a basketball team," noted Lanpher.
