VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team looked to continue its strong start to the season as it made a road trip to Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday. The WildCats battled back after falling behind in the first quarter to post strong second and fourth quarter performances and defeat the Marlins 65-47.
Randolph improves to 11-2 overall and 5-1 in ODAC play. Virginia Wesleyan falls to 3-12 overall and 0-8 in the ODAC.
The victory for the WildCats was just the fifth ever in program history over the Marlins and the first since December 2016, breaking a seven-game winless streak against Virginia Wesleyan. The win on the Marlins' home court was the first for the 'Cats since 2004.
Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) sank a three-point basket to start the game off for Randolph. Back-to-back threes from Jessica Jennings gave the home team a 6-3 advantage. A pair of free throws by Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) cut the WildCat deficit to one point, 6-5, with 7:10 remaining in the quarter. The Marlins used a 14-7 run to take a 20-12 lead on the 'Cats at the end of the period.
Virginia Wesleyan still led by eight points, 22-14, less than a minute into the second quarter. Randolph came roaring back with a 14-0 run to take a 28-22 lead with 1:31 remaining until halftime. Two Marlin free throws made it 28-24 but a three from Stark with time winding down put the 'Cats ahead 31-24 at the break. The Randolph defense held Virginia Wesleyan to just one basket the entire quarter forcing four turnovers and 11 missed shots.
The Marlins started off quickly in the third quarter as they made three baskets to cut the WildCat lead to 31-30. Consecutive layups from Adaje Williams gave Virginia Wesleyan a 34-33 lead with 6:10 showing on the game clock. Randolph grabbed the lead back with Stark scoring four points to put the 'Cats ahead 37-34 with 2:07 left in the period. The Marlins tied it up at 37-all with 42 ticks left but a jumper by Stark restored the Randolph lead to 39-37.
The WildCats ran away with the game in the fourth quarter as they scored 12 straight points to go up 51-37. A 10-3 run blew the game open as the 'Cats led 61-40. The Marlins didn't score their first basket of the period until 3:31 remained in the contest and not again until 39 seconds were left to play.
"Road wins are difficult in the ODAC and I'm really proud of us keeping our composure today and grinding out the win," said head coach Steve Lanpher. "We came out and didn't have our normal defensive focus and uncharacteristically gave up 20 points in a quarter but then held them to 27 points the final three quarters."
Randolph was 22-of-68 (32.4%) from the floor on the day and went 9-of-17 (52.9%) in the fourth period. Virginia Wesleyan went 17-of-57 (29.8%) but after a strong first quarter (61.5%), shot 7.7%, 35.3%, and 14.3% from the field.
The WildCats dominated the glass 55-29. Randolph had advantages in second chance points (11-0), and points in the paint (28-22).
Stark scored a career-high 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out two assists, and came away with two steals. Crenshaw-Patterson added 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Cierra Cook (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) scored 10 points to go with eight rebounds, three steals, and five assists. Simone Brown (Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor) had her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
"Kylie continues to amaze with her grit, toughness, and ability," noted Lanpher. She really stepped up and took over offensively when we needed it."
Randolph travels to Washington and Lee this coming Wednesday. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
