LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's basketball team hosted Bridgewater on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon at Giles Gymnasium. A flurry of scoring saw a tight game edge to the Eagles in the end as they came out on top 81-76.
The Eagles led 5-0 in just over a minute of game time to start the first quarter. The WildCats eventually tied the game up at 5-all. BC edged out ahead 11-7 with 14:42 showing on the game clock. Randolph would lead 18-17 with 6:38 remaining until the Eagles got ahead 22-18. The WildCats eventually grabbed the lead back and
Jerry Goodman's (Suffolk, Va./Portsmouth Christian School) layup at the buzzer gave the 'Cats a 30-27 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Randolph was up 42-36 with 13:39 remaining. A barrage of eight three-point baskets combined by both teams ensued in nearly five minutes of game time as Randolph led 54-52 with under nine minutes left to play.
A three-point basket by
Danny Bickey (Beckley, W.V./Woodrow Wilson) with 2;16 remaining put the WildCats ahead 70-68. Bridgewater answered with a layup of its own with 1:33 showing on the clock to tie the game up. The Eagles took the lead with 48 ticks left on a three pointer by Andy Pack. Aaron Oates then scored a layup and added a free throw to increase the Eagle lead to 76-70. Randolph could get no closer then four points as BC came away with the win.
The WildCats were 30-of-62 (48.4%) from the floor on the afternoon and 10-of-22 (45.5%) in three-point attempts. Bridgewater was 29-of-66 (43.9%) and 13-of-32 (40.6%) from behind the three-point arc. The Eagles controlled the glass with a 40-33 advantage. The WildCats did lead in points off turnovers 22-15 and in points in the paint 34-30.
Goodman led the way with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Bickey added 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
Kyle Ferguson (Lynchburg, Va./Heritage) scored nine points with all coming from three-point baskets.
Cole Perry (Salisbury, N.C./Jesse Carson) had a team-high nine rebounds, dished out four assists, and came away with two steals. In his first career start,
Will Jamison (Rixleyville, Va./Culpepper) scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds.
Prior to the start of the game, Goodman and Jamison were recognized. On Jamison, Coach
Pete Hamilton said:
"Will has been one of the most selfless and humble teammates we've had in our program at Randolph. He came in as a quiet young player and is leaving the program having earned an extremely influential voice within the locker room. Will has improved year to year and has been excellent at buying into a role of leadership and pushing younger players to become better within our system. His dedication is shown through his participation and leadership in a Breakfast Club group that works out on gamedays in the mornings. He has also grown tremendously as a student and has represented our program with extreme class throughout campus. I will miss Will's contagious smile and his ability to show up every day with a positive and productive attitude for his teammates."
On Goodman, Hamilton said:
"Jerry's growth over his time here has been amazing to witness. I believe even Jerry wouldn't have believed you if you told him he would be leaving Randolph having one campus community awards and working as a college tour guide for the school. His personable nature and genuine care for others has shown itself throughout our program as well as he has taken young players under his wing every year to try and help them with the transition to college basketball. I cherish all the on-court conversations I've had with Jerry over the years as we try to figure out an advantage in a game or a read to exploit. He quickness with the ball in his hands is something I don't think many players can match – it has been a special asset for our program in some big moments throughout his career. I love that Jerry is staying around the game of basketball after he is done with his playing days – he has a lot of knowledge to share and it is certainly where he belongs."
The WildCats travel to Washington and Lee on Wednesday. Game time from Lexington will be at 7:00 p.m.
