LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team hosted Shenandoah on Wednesday evening at Giles Gymnasium. The game was tied at the half but the visiting Hornets outscored the WildCats in the final two quarters on their way to a 69-59 win.
Randolph scored the game's first basket on a jump shot by Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) but Shenandoah scored seven straight points to go ahead 7-2. Trailing 11-8 with 4:36 remaining in the quarter, the WildCats went on a 10-3 run to close out the period and lead 18-14.
A three by Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) to start the second quarter lifted the Randolph lead up to seven points at 21-14. Shenandoah used an 11-3 run to grab the lead away and go ahead 25-24 with 6:01 left in the quarter. The WildCats held a four-point advantage, 34-30, with 2:06 showing on the game clock. The Hornets would knot the game at 36-all after a three-point basket by Kayla Maxson.
In the third quarter, a jumper by Stark put Randolph ahead 38-36. SU responded with an 8-0 run to go up 44-38 with under eight minutes left in the quarter. The WildCats made it a one-possession contest, 47-45, with under three minutes left. The Hornets went on a 7-2 run to lead 54-47 going into the final quarter of play.
In the fourth quarter, the Shenandoah lead increased to 10 points, 58-48, with 8:12 remaining to play. The 'Cats closed to five points, 58-53, but a 7-2 Hornet run put the SU lead back up to 10 points, 65-55, with 4:21 left to play. The WildCats were able to make it a two-possession game with 2:12 remaining but could not get closer as Shenandoah made four free throws to secure the victory.
We came out with the right intensity, focus and effort tonight!" said head coach Steve Lanpher after the game. "Unfortunately, we didn't convert on our second chance opportunities and uncharacteristically we were only 50% from the line. I thought defensively we were overall quite good but had a few crucial mistakes which Shenandoah took advantage of."
The WildCats shot 23-of-66 overall (34.8%) and 5-of-24 (20.8%) from behind the three-point arc. Shenandoah was 21-of-52 (40.4%) overall and 8-of-19 (42.1%) in three-point baskets. Shenandoah controlled the glass 40-38. The 'Cats did control points in the pain 26-22 and points off turnovers 15-13.
Jennings led all scorers with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting. She added four steals and four assists. Stark finished with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
"We've got to learn from this and move on," noted Lanpher. "I truly believe in this team and know we can be dangerous down the stretch. This team is on the verge of greatness, we just have to stay committed and connected to each other."
Randolph hosts Roanoke this coming Saturday. Game time will be at 4:30 pm. The WildCats will look to avenge a December 6 loss to the Maroons in Salem.
