LYNCHBURG, Va- Looking to get back in the winning column, the Randolph women's basketball team hosted cross-city and ODAC rival Lynchburg on Wednesday night at Giles Gymnasium. The Hornets took a lead late in the second half as they went on to win 55-51.

Randolph led 9-8 at the end of the first quarter. With the WildCats ahead 11-8 to begin the second quarter, Lynchburg went on a 6-1 run to take a 14-12 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the period. Randolph came back to grab the lead back and go ahead 18-14 with 3:19 showing on the clock. The WildCat lead would still be four points, 25-21, at halftime.

The 'Cats added to their lead in the third quarter as they went up 29-21. Lynchburg's 16-9 run to close out the period got it to within one point of tying the contest up.
Kylie Stark's (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) three pointer to start the fourth quarter put Randolph ahead 41-37. The Hornets used a 17-6 run to retake the lead and go up 54-47 with 1:05 remaining. Yanessa Cabrera's (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) layup with six ticks left got the WildCats to within four points. Cabrera missed a free throw and the Hornets came down with the rebound as they ran out the clock.

"I thought we came out with the appropriate effort defensively and held Lynchburg to 21 1st half points," said head coach Steve Lanpher.  "However, offensively, we struggled as well.  We didn't attack the lane well tonight and settled for too many perimeter shots.  I was really happy with our post play especially from Abbie who had a career high 12 pts and 7 rebounds."  

The WildCats were 21-of-62 (33.9%) from the floor but just 3-of-17 (17.6%) from behind the three-point arc. Lynchburg was 17-of-54 (31.5%) and 9-of-30 (30%) in three-point attempts.

The teams were even in rebounds at 41. Randolph controlled the paint with a 28-14 advantage.

Stark led Randolph with 14 points and also had three rebounds and three assists. Abbie Baker (Salem, Va./Patrick Henry) added a career-high 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and pulled down seven rebounds. Cabrera finished with nine points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

"I thought we didn't defend well enough in the second half as we gave up too many open perimeter shots and also gave up too many second shot opportunities," noted Lanpher. "Certainly a disappointing outcome but I believe in our team and feel we'll bounce back on Saturday!"  

The WildCats host Ferrum for their Play 4 Kay game on Saturday. Game time is at 2:00 p.m.