SALEM, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team went on the road for a midweek ODAC contest at Roanoke on Wednesday. A tight defensive game saw both teams fight until the end with the host Maroons coming out with a 52-47 victory.

The teams were neck and neck through the midway point of the first quarter. Trailing 7-5 with 5:02 remaining in the period, the WildCats went on a 12-0 run to jump ahead 17-7 with 1:36 remaining in the period. Roanoke scored a pair of three -point baskets to cut into the WildCat lead and trail 17-13 at the conclusion of the quarter.

A 12-6 run to start the second quarter gave the Maroons a 25-23 lead with under four minutes remaining in the period. Abbie Baker (Salem, Va./Patrick Henry) converted a jump shot at 3:32 and that would be the last field goal for over three minutes of game time as both teams struggled for the final few minutes of the quarter.  A late Roanoke steal with 10 seconds remaining resulted in a layup by Rose Sande to give RC a 27-25 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Maroons led 31-27 at 6:01 on the game clock. Randolph took the lead back after a Natalie Clark (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) jumper. Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) was fouled attempting a three-point basket and converted all three attempts to give the WildCats 32-31 lead with 3:52 remaining. The score would be knotted at 33-all going into the final quarter of play.

Roanoke led 39-35 early in the fourth quarter but the WildCats were able to even the score at 39-39 with under six minutes remaining to play. The Maroons got in front by five points, 44-39, at 4:44 but a jump shot by Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) followed by three from Renee Clines (Lake City, Fla./Lafayette HS) tied the contest at 44-all with 3:44 left to play. The WildCats then went 0-for-5 from the field as Roanoke made two baskets and four straight free throws to pull away in the end for the win.

"Defensive slugfest and Roanoke executed down the stretch to come away with the victory," said head coach Steve Lanpher after the game.  "They took advantage of the second shot opportunities more than we did and I think that overall was the difference. Offensively, we got too stagnant allowing them to load up on the strong side and we just couldn't knock down shots consistently.  Shooting 28% isn't going to win you many basketball games."

 Randolph finished the game going 17-of-60 (28.3% from the floor and 6-of-20 (30%) from behind the three-point arc. The WildCats were able to outscore the Maroons in the paint 18-14.

 Stark led Randolph with 15 points to go with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) added 10 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

The WildCats play at Bridgewater this coming Saturday. Game time will be at 4:30 p.m.