LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team hosted Regent in a non-conference game on Senior Day. The WildCats held a big lead on the Royals that held up in the end as they won 86-66.
Randolph improves to 15-10 overall on the season.
The WildCats led 10-3 with 6:48 remaining in the first quarter. The Royals were able to close to five points, at 18-13, but Randolph pushed ahead with an 8-2 run to go up 26-15 at the end of the quarter. The WildCats outscored the Royals 14-8 in the second quarter as they led 40-23 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Randolph still had a comfortable lead but Regent was able to get to within 14 points, 59-45, at the conclusion of the period. An 18-3 run by the Royals covering the end of third quarter to the 5:39 mark of the fourth quarter brought Regent all the way back and within five points, 62-57. Randolph quickly brought its advantage back into double digits as it used a 15-0 run to go ahead 77-57 with 3:03 remaining to play. That run kept the WildCats ahead for good as the Royals did not have another comeback in them.
"Always great to win on senior day," said head coach Steve Lanpher. "I was worried going in because of the senior day emotions and it being a non-conference game. Regent is a tough match up because of their athleticism & scoring ability."
On the day, Randolph was 35-of-72 (48.6%) overall which was a season-high in shots made and percentage made. The WildCats were 12-of-27 (44.45) from behind the three-point arc.
"I thought we moved the ball unselfishly and got open looks which helped us create the large lead," said Lanpher. "22 assists on 35 field goals is tremendous! We got a little sloppy in the 4th quarter but regrouped and took care of business."
Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) scored a career-high 32 points and is the first WildCat to score 30 points since Abigal Bullins put up 31 points in 2014. Stark was 12-of-19 from the field and 8-of-9 in three-point attempts which matched a game record that was last done by Bullins in 2013. Stark added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) added 17 points, which matched a season-high, grabbed four rebounds, and tallied four assists. Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) finished with nine points, dished out six assists, and came away with four steals. Abbie Baker (Salem, Va./Patrick Henry) led in rebounds with 13.
"Kylie was really feeling it from deep today with eight 3's and Teniyah was aggressive and attacked well," noted Lanpher. So proud of our senior group of Cam/ Nat/ Jas/ Jess & Kylie! They have done so much for this program so it was extra special getting a win on their day!"
Randolph won the rebounding battle 53-30. The WildCats led in points off turnovers 22-12, second chance points 18-6, and points in the paint 33-4.
Seniors Stark, Jennings, and Jasmin Williams were recognized along with graduate students Cameron O'Neil and Natalie Clark prior to the start of the game.
Randolph now prepares for the First Round of the ODAC Tournament which begins on Tuesday. The WildCats will host Ferrum at 7:00 p.m. The winner moves on to Salem, Va. for the quarterfinals next Friday.
