LYNCHBURG, Va. - Randolph College Women's Basketball opened the new year with ODAC play against Eastern Mennonite. The WildCats defended home court with an 80-52 win over the Royals. 

"Great home conference win today." said head coach Steve Lanpher. "Really proud of our unselfishness, garnering 17 assists. We really took care of the ball with only 4 turnovers in the second half."

The first quarter started evenly, with both teams not letting the other get too far ahead. It wasn't until late in the quarter that the WildCats went on a 7-2 run to push them ahead at the end of the quarter, 16-10. In the second quarter, Renee Clines opened with a layup to widen the gap. There was around a three-minute scoring drought for both teams until a pair of free throws for the Royals put the score at 18-12, Randolph advantage, at the 6:40 mark. After, the Royals went on an offensive push, going a 12-6 run, to tie the score at 24-all with 3:39 remaining. A pair of converted free throws for the Royals put them up by two, but Maddie Pabon responded with back-to-back three-pointers to put the 'Cats up by four. The Royals, not finding any offensive looks, powered the WildCats for a 4-0 run to close the quarter at 34-26.

Coming out of the break, it was a slightly slower start, Kylie Stark added a jumper to extend the lead by 10, 36-26. Missed scoring opportunities for the Royals, led to a 12-0 run for the WildCats, leading 48-26 with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter. The Royals finally broke the run with a layup, but Stark responded with a three-pointer, and in the end the Royals hit a three-pointer of their own, however, Stark was not done and drained another three-pointer, the score at 54-31 with under 3 minutes remaining. To close out the quarter, the WildCats maintained the lead with a 6-4 run, 60-35.

"The third quarter we upped our defensive pressure and took over the game," said Lanpher.

About 30 seconds into the fourth, the Royals hit a three to get them started offensively. However, Crenshaw-Patterson added a jumper to extend the gap. The Royals looked to close the gap, but the WildCats' defense held firm, while the offense continued to push forward. Both teams traded points back-and-forth but Randolph maintained a double-digit lead until the end of the quarter and walked away with the victory.

From the field, Randolph was 51.7% (30-58) overall and 12-15, 80% from the line. From behind the arc, the team was 8-21 (38.1%); however, the Royals out rebounded the Cats 33-31. 

"Our seniors Kylie & Tee stepped up and led us offensively," said Lanpher. "Renee was big again off the bench. I thought our post tandem controlled the glass with Simone having 12 rebounds & three blocks & Lexi with three rebounds & one block." 

Stark led the team with a career-high 24 points and added four rebounds. Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson recorded her 500th rebound while scoring 18 points on four rebounds. Simone Brown, just shy of her season-high, had 12 rebounds and three blocks. Renee Clines, off the bench, had 11 rebounds and six assists.

The 'Cats are back in action, Wednesday, when they host ODAC opponent, Bridgewater College, for a 5 p.m. tip-off.