LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team hosted Roanoke on Saturday afternoon looking to avenge an early season loss to the Maroons back in December. It was all WildCats on the night as three players reached double figures in scoring and Randolph topped Roanoke 69-52.
Randolph's win is the first home victory over the Maroons since 2007. The WildCats improve to 13-8 overall and 7-8 in the ODAC. Roanoke falls to 14-7 overall and 9-5 in the conference.
The WildCats got out to an early 5-0 lead in the first quarter. The Maroons settled down after missing their first six shots as they went on a 15-5 run to close out the period and lead 15-10.
In the second quarter, Roanoke led 19-12 with 8:03 showing on the game clock. The WildCats used an 8-2 run to close to within one point, 21-20, with 3:29 remaining. A 6-0 run by the Maroons restored their seven-point advantage but the WildCats were able to close to within two points, thanks to a three-point basket by Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) to end the second quarter as the 'Cats trailed 28-26 at the break.
"We made a few adjustments at halftime and I thought we ramped up our defensive pressure causing Roanoke into turnovers and is allowed us to get some easy transition baskets," said head coach Steve Lanpher.
In the third quarter, Randolph started on a 10-2 run to go ahead 36-30 under the seven-minute mark. The Maroons closed to three points, 40-37, with 3:49 showing on the clock. Randolph used a 10-2 run to lead RC 50-39 at the conclusion of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, back-to-back layups by Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) capped by a three from O'Neil upped the Randolph lead to 17 points, 57-40, with 6:35 left to play. The WildCat lead grew to as much as 20 points, 66-46, with 2:51 remaining to play. Roanoke chipped away at its deficit but the decision was already in hand as Randolph easily secured the victory.
"Great home conference win against a very good Roanoke team!" said Lanpher. "Our defensive intensity was consistently good. I thought we struggled offensively in the first half with turnovers and missed shots However our effort kept us close."
The WildCats shot just over 57% and nearly 54% in both the third and fourth quarters. Overall, the team was 25-of-57 (43.9%) from the floor and 8-of-17 (47.1%) from behind the three-point arc which marked its best shooting percentage of the season to date. The Maroons were 19-of-55 (34.5%) overall and just 3-of-20 (15%) from behind the three-point arc. While Roanoke led in total rebounds 37-35, Randolph had the advantage in points off turnovers 28-11 and in the paint 28-24. The WildCats were also efficient on the fast break outscoring the Maroons 19-8.
Jennings led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting to go with a season-high seven steals and five assists. Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) added 16 points with 11 of those coming in the third quarter alone. Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) chipped in 12 points and five assists. O'Neil finished with eight points and five rebounds. Abbie Baker (Salem, Va./Patrick Henry) and Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) both led in rebounds with seven.
"Jess really quarterbacked us well attacking and generating great offense and her seven steals were game changing," noted Lanpher. "Teniyah really took over in the third quarter scoring 11. Great to see her being aggressive and confident again. Kylie had a great floor game scoring 12 pts with five assists. Our post tandem of Abbie and Brooklyn really anchored our zone and owned the boards with seven rebounds. Overall we took care of the basketball with only 12 turnovers and we're patient and took great shots."
Randolph travels to Hollins on Wednesday. Game time will be at 7:00 p.m.
