LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team hosted Bob Jones University on Saturday afternoon at Giles Gymnasium, The WildCats controlled the game on both the offensive and defensive ends as they easily handled the Bruins 74-42.
It was a 7-5 contest in the first quarter with 7:15 remaining in the period but it was all WildCats after that. Randoph outscored Bob Jones 10-2 for the rest of the quarter as it led 17-7. The Bruins missed seven shots and committed six turnovers.
Randolph held the Bruins without a shot until just over four minutes remained in the second quarter. The WildCats had increased their lead to 27-7 after a three-point basket by Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch). The Bruins cut into the Randolph advantage but the 'Cats still had a 31-16 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Randolph brough its lead back up to 21 points, 37-16, with 7:19 remaining in the quarter. Bob Jones closed to within 14 points, 41-27, with 3:43 on the clock but the WIldCats went on a 10-0 run to close out the quarter and led 51-27. The Randolph lead never dipped below 23 points ad the WildCats cruised to the win.
Randolph was 25-of-60 (41.7%) from the field and 5-of-18 (27.8%) from behind the three-point arc. The defense held Bob Jones to 14-of-53 (26.4%) from the floor and 8-of-33 (24.2%) in three-point shots.
The WildCats dominated in the paint 36-12 and also had advantages in points off turnovers (17-7) and in second chance points (12-4). Randolph controlled the glass with a 50-32 advantage.
"Loved our intensity and effort," said head coach Steve Lanpher after the game. "I thought our defensive pressure allowed us to get out in transition and get some easy baskets early. Defensively, holding them to 16 points in the first half allowed us to never look back."
Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) scored a team-high 16 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists. Jennings added 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and scored five points.
"Kylie led us with 16 points and eight rebounds," said Lanpher. "Jess energized us on both ends of the floor. I thought our First Years played well. Cai Smith and Tyra Harrell both gave us really positive minutes."
Next up for Randolph is the ODAC opener this coming Wednesday against cross-city rival Lynchburg. Game time will be at 7:00 p.m.
