LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team hosted its first game in over two weeks on Saturday afternoon as it faced Southern Virginia in non-conference action. The Knights cut it close late in the fourth quarter, but the WildCats were able to withstand the rally as they won by the score of 62-56.
Randolph improves its overall record to 6-3. SVU drops to 4-3.
The WildCats made their first two baskets of the first quarter; one a three by Cameron O"Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) and a layup by Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) to lead 5-0. SVU would tie the score up at 5-5 until Randolph pushed ahead on a three by Caiyah Smith (Manassas, Va./Virginia Academy). After the Knights took a 10-8 lead, Randolph went on a 9-2 run to go up 17-12 at the end of the period.
A three by O'Neil to start the second quarter upped the WildCat lead to eight points 10 seconds into the quarter. A 7-0 run by by the Knights cut the Randolph lead to two points, 21-19, with 8:28 showing on the clock. Randolph built its lead up to six points until the Knights closed to within three. Randolph ended the quarter on an 11-6 run to lead 32-25 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Randolph led by as many as 10 points, 43-33, with 6:05 showing on the game clock. Southern Virginia was able to make it a two-possession game as the WildCats led 48-42 heading into the final quarter of play.
The 'Cats started the fourth quarter on a 9-3 run to pull ahead 57-45 with 5:25 remaining. Southern Virginia cut the lead down to three points, 57-54, with three straight three-point baskets. A layup by Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) put Randolph ahead 59-54 with 1:29 left. The Knights missed a pair of shots and Randolph converted three free throws in the final 22 seconds to pull out the victory.
"Really proud of our effort, unselfishness, and most importantly I thought we were really connected as a group," said head coach Steve Lanpher. "We came out with great effort and intensity and maintained that throughout."
Randolph shot 20-of-56 overall (35.7%) and made 6-of-16 (37.5%) three-point baskets. The WildCats had a 26-20 advantage in points in the paint, 20-14 in fast break points, and 23-16 lead in bench points.
Four WildCats reached double-digits led by O'Neil's 12 points. Stark added 11 points, six assists, five rebounds, and five steals. Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) also scored 11 points. Finnerty finished with a career-high 10 points.
"Defensively, we battled throughout and really fought on the boards," note Lanpher. "I thought our bench was crucial today with Brooklyn, Cai , Taniya and Jas & Paris all giving us great minutes."
Randolph has a quick turnaround as they travel to Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Monday to take on Mid-Atlantic Christian. Game time will be at 5:00 p.m.
