BRIDGEWATER, VA.- The Randolph women's basketball team traveled to Bridgewater to face the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. The WildCats kept the game close with the Eagles but BC was able to come away with a 48-41 victory.

Randolph's overall record stands at 5-3 and 2-3 in the ODAC. Bridgewater improves to 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the ODAC.

Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) scored the game's first basket on a three-pointer just over a minute into the first quarter. After the Eagles knotted the game at 3-3, Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) answered for the WildCats with a three-point basket of her own to restore Randolph's three-point lead at 6-3. Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) made a pair of free throws to up the WildCat advantage to 8-3 with 4:34 remaining in the period. The Eagles closed to within one point of tying the contest up but a layup by Caiyah Smith (Manassa, Va./Virginia Academy) put Randolph ahead 10-7 at the conclusion of the quarter.

Randolph led by as much as five points early on in the second quarter. Bridgewater briefly took a one-point lead with 1:36 showing on the clock until the WildCats took a one-point lead of their own. A layup by Bridgewater's Abby Freeman put the home team ahead 20-19 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Bridgewater started off strong as it scored five straight points to go ahead 24-19 with 7:07 on the clock. A 7-2 run by the 'Cats got them to within one point of tying with exactly a minute left in the period. Bridgewater ended the quarter on a 5-0 run to go ahead 32-26 at end of the third.

BC pulled ahead by as much as 10 points, 45-35, with 3:43 remaining in the game. Randolph was able to cut the deficit down to four points, 45-41, with under a minute left. The WildCats turned the ball over with 24 ticks remaining and the Eagles converted on three of four free throws to pull away in the end.

Randolph was 15-of-53 (28.3%) overall from the floor and made 6-of-18 (33.3%) three-point baskets. Bridgewater finished 17-of-52 overall (32.7%) and 5-of-17 (29.4%) in three-point attempts. The WIldCats did have a 21-6 advantage in points off turnovers. The Eagles led in rebounds 43-34.

"A tough battle on the road against a very good Bridgewater team," said Steve Lanpher.  "Not the outcome we were wanting but so proud of our effort and heart today. Two very good defensive heavyweights battling and they were able to capitalize a little better on the offensive end to come away with the win."

 O'Neil led the 'Cats with nine points on 3-of-6 shooting and also pulled down six rebounds. Jennings added eight points, five assists, and four steals. Smith also scored eight points to go with three rebounds. Abbie Baker (Salem, Va./Patrick Henry) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds, scored four points, and came away with two steals.

 "I thought Abbie was tremendous with activity and rebounding effort," noted Lanpher. "Cam was solid on both ends with 9 pts & 6 rebounds.  Cai gave us really productive minutes off the bench along with Imani Hardin."  

 Randolph returns home to host Southern Virginia next Saturday. Game time from Gilem Gymnasium will be at 4:00 p.m.