LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Randolph College women's basketball team hosted Johnson & Wales to open up the 2026 year. This game was a rematch between the two teams as they played each other earlier in the season at JWU. However, it was JWU to win the season series over Randolph, 70-66.

JWU got off to a hot start, going on a 9-0 run to open the game. Makiah Scott got the first points for the WildCats with a jumper at 7:12. Johnson & Wales continued their offensive pressure throughout the quarter, leading 11-2, but Randolph was not backing down. Under six minutes to go, the WildCats went on a 17-9 run backed by two three-pointers from Kamora Lewis and one from Amaya Thrash to lead 19-18 after the first quarter.

Johnson & Wales dominated the second quarter, outscoring the WildCats 22-12. JWU opened with an 11-0 run to take back the lead 27-19. Brooklyn Finnerty converted on a pair of free throws to put the 'Cats within eight with 6:12 to go. A pair of free throws and a layup for JWU pushed the lead to 33-21. It was back-and-forth scoring as time continued to tick off, with JWU leading 40-31 at half.

The third quarter started with a two-minute scoring drought for both teams, but Sophia Stevens' jumper led to a 9-0 run for the 'Cats to tie the game 40-40 with 5:33 to go. Johnson & Wales responded quickly with a layup on their end to retake the lead. Similar to the end of the second quarter, both teams traded points, but JWU held on to the lead 55-47 heading into the final quarter.

Scott kicked off the fourth quarter with a contested layup to keep the 'Cats within striking distance. Taniya Jackson drained the jumper to make it a two-possession game. Back-and-forth layups for both teams kept the game close, JWU leading 59-57 with plenty of game left. JWU pushed their lead to six after making free throws and a jumper, but Maddie Pabon responded with a three-pointer to make it a one-possession game with under five minutes to go.

Both teams were looking to close out the game in their favor, but it was timely shots and trips to the free-throw line that led to Johnson & Wales taking the victory.

Scott and Finnerty led the team with 12 points, while Scott had a season-high of seven steals. Stevens pitched in nine points with four assists while also grabbing a season-high eight rebounds. Pabon and Lewis chipped in eight points, with Pabon adding three steals and Lewis going 3-3 from the field and 2-2 from behind the three. Jackson and Thrash added six points, and Lexanna Oge added five.

Randolph is back in the MAC on Wednesday to host #8 Washington & Lee to begin conference play at 7 p.m.