LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team hosted Lynchburg in an ODAC cross-city game on Thursday evening at Giles Gymnasium. The Hornets got out to a big lead early as they defeated the WildCats 59-44.
Lynchburg got out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Randolph soon cut into its deficit with a layup by Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) and a three from Kyle Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville). It was still a one-possession game, 11-8, at 2:46 but the Hornets ended the quarter on a 9-0 run to go up 20-10.
The Hornet lead expanded to 18 points, 28-10, with 5:11 to play in the second quarter. The Wildcats closed to within 13, 34-21 with 2:22 showing on the game clock. Lynchburg went into the locker room ahead 36-21.
Coming out of halftime, the 'Cats closed to within 10 points with a three by O'Neil and a jump shot from Elizabeth Ellen (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover). The Hornets expanded their lead up to 16 points but Randolph was able to close to 12 points, 46-34, at the end of three periods.
The game was still within reach for Randolph as its deficit stood at 12, 49-37, with 7:39 remaining to play. It was a 13-point game, 53-40, with 5:39 left but Lynchburg would go on a 6-0 run to pull away in the end.
The WildCats were 8-of-21 (38.1%) from beyond the three-point arc while Lynchburg was 3-of-16 (18.8%). The Hornets held a 38-33 advantage on the glass.
"I loved our fight and competitiveness tonight," said head coach Steve Lanpher after the game. "I thought defensively we controlled the tempo that allowed us to be in the game. The difference was turnovers and second chance points."
Stark led the team with 12 points. She added four assists, three rebounds, and three steals. O'Neil added 10 points and had a game-high seven rebounds. Jasmin Williams (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) scored eight points in 16 minutes off the bench and pulled down four rebounds.
"Kylie and Cam were solid for us once again leading with 12 and 10 points," noted Lanpher. "Maggie and Jasmin gave us some great minutes off the bench."
Randolph concludes regular season play this Sunday as the WildCats face Eastern Mennonite. Game time will be at 2:00 p.m.
