WINCHESTER, Va. - The Randolph College women's basketball team picked up a statement road victory Friday night, edging No. 21 Shenandoah University 56-54!

Randolph opened the game with a quick 3-0 lead behind a Jaellen Hillery three-pointer. The WildCats continued to attack offensively with baskets from Taniya Jackson and Sophia Stevens, including a Stevens' three that helped Randolph stay in front midway through the quarter. Shenandoah answered late with a three and a pair of baskets, but Randolph carried momentum into the final minutes of the period. The WildCats led 15-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Shenandoah opened the second quarter with a three-pointer at the 9:35 mark, but Randolph answered at the free-throw line as Jackson knocked down a pair of shots to keep the WildCats in front. The Hornets began to find offense midway through the quarter behind a triple and a driving layup, trimming Randolph's lead. Randolph responded by attacking inside, as Edmond converted a jumper and Hillery added a pull-up basket to steady the offense. 

Thrash continued her strong shooting night with a pair of three-pointers, helping Randolph regain breathing room.

As the quarter wound down, Shenandoah looked to close the gap with scoring at the rim and the line, but Stevens countered with a driving layup of her own. Randolph's defense remained active, preventing Shenandoah from fully swinging the momentum before the halftime break. The 'Cats led 29-23.

Randolph came out of halftime early with Stevens giving the WildCats an early boost with a three-pointer, and Randolph stayed in front with timely scoring from Thrash and Brooklyn Finnerty.

Shenandoah answered with shots to trim the lead, but Randolph responded late as Stevens connected on another three off an assist from Jackson. The WildCats' defense continued to create stops and limited Shenandoah's chances as the quarter wound down, leading 41-34.

Randolph opened the fourth quarter with strong defensive pressure. Stevens and Lexi Oge helped steady the offense early, while Makiah Scott drilled a three-pointer and Stevens added a pull-up jumper to keep the WildCats in front as Shenandoah tried to close the gap.

The Hornets continued to chip away behind outside shooting, but Randolph answered with timely plays from Jackson, who converted at the free-throw line and finished a driving layup to halt Shenandoah's momentum. Defensive stops from Finnerty and Hillery, along with a steal by Stevens, kept the WildCats in control during a tense stretch of the quarter.

Late in the period, Randolph found another boost from Oge at the rim and Jackson attacking the basket, maintaining separation as Shenandoah pushed offensively. Despite a late surge from the Hornets, Randolph's defense down the stretch allowed the WildCats to close out the quarter with the lead intact at 56-54.

Stevens led Randolph with 12 points and seven rebounds while playing 38 minutes. Jackson added 11 points and five assists, and Hillery contributed nine points, two blocks, and two steals. Thrash provided a spark off the bench, going a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 3-for-3 from three-point range for nine points. Oge finished with seven points and six rebounds, while Finnerty added four boards and three points.

Randolph shot 37.3 percent from the field and out-rebounded Shenandoah 34-28, while committing just 10 turnovers and sharing the ball with 11 total assists. The WildCats also received 14 points from their bench in the win.

With the victory, Randolph improves to 8-9 overall and 2-6 in ODAC play. The WildCats are back on home court on Wednesday for their Code Black game against crosstown rival, the University of Lynchburg, at 7:30 p.m.