DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.- The Randolph women's basketball team wrapped up its time in Florida on Thursday as they took on Maryville at the Daytona Beach Shootout. Despite poor shooting in the second half, Kylie Stark's (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) three-point basket with under four seconds remaining was the difference maker as Randolph won 45-44.

Randolph's overall record improves to 11-2 overall. The win is the team's ninth straight which sets a new program record.

"It was a true defensive slugfest today," said head coach Steve Lanpher. "Two really good defensive teams squared off and fortunately #12 hit a big shot at the end for us!" 

The Scots led 4-3 with under seven minutes remaining in the first quarter. The WildCats ended the period on an 8-1 run to lead 11-5. A 5-1 run by the 'Cats to start the second quarter put them ahead 16-6 with 7:50 remaining in the period. The Scots converted a layup at 7:35 which ended a field goal drought spanning 9:35 of game time. Randolph led 26-15 at the half.

In the third quarter, Maryville started off on an 11-0 run that saw it take its first lead since early in the first quarter at 27-26 with 6:04 left to play in the third. Randolph's scoring drought ended with Jessica Jennings' (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) layup with 5:18 showing on the game clock. That was part of a 9-3 run that saw the WildCats regain the lead and go up 35-30.

Jennings' layup to start the fourth quarter gave the WildCats a 37-30 lead with nine minutes left. Maryville cut into the 'Cat advantage and tied the game twice with the second time coming with 2:07 remaining. A jump shot by Simone Brown (Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor) put Randolph ahead 42-20 with 1:48 left. Maryville's Ella Haney made the first of two free throw attempts and Emma Huskey's jumper with 37 seconds left gave the Scots a one-point lead at 43-42. Another free throw by Huskey put Maryville ahead 44-42 with 19 seconds remaining. Randolph called a timeout to regroup. Stark then nailed the game winner with an assist by Yanessa Cabrera (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson). Haney tried a potential game-winning basket as time expired but the shot was off the mark.

"I knew going in that Maryville was defensively similar to us and they play a slowdown offensive game," noted Lanpher. "In the first half we did a nice job of containing their offensive players and limiting their second shot opportunities. In the second half, we had some uncharacteristic turnovers and that allowed Maryville to get back into the game. After a traveling call, Maryville took the lead by two with 18 seconds or so to go.   I thought we composed ourselves well and our players executed our play & Kylie stepped up with a big time shot!!"

Both teams were nearly identical in shooting percentage. Randolph was 16-of-56 (28.6%) from the floor while Maryville was 13-of-45 (28.9%). The 'Cats shot 5-of-27 (18.5%) in three-point attempts as the Scots did not make one (0-for-14). Maryville was 18-of-28 (64.3%) from the free throw line while the WildCats were 8-of-14 (57.1%).

Randolph had a slight advantage to rebounds 39-37. The WildCats turned 21 Maryville turnovers into 28 points. The Randolph bench contributed 14 points compared to just two from Maryville.

"Ultimately our defense rose up to the challenge and forced Maryville into a tough contested shot during the last possession that allowed us to secure the win!," said Lanpher. "Not our best game but I was proud how we responded especially at the end.  What a way to close out our first semester." 

Stark and Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) both scored nine points. O'Neil added six rebounds and three steals while Stark chipped in four rebounds, one blocked shot, and one steal. Jennings finished with five points, five steals, three rebounds and three assists. Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) also scored five points to go with six rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Cabrera contributed five points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

The WildCats are idle until 2023 when they return to ODAC play as they travel to Ferrum on January 4. Game time will be at 5:00 p.m.