LYNCHBURG, Va. -  Randolph College Women's Basketball battled to the final buzzer but came up just short in a 59-55 loss to Bridgewater College on Saturday afternoon inside Frances and Don Giles Gymnasium.

It was a quick start for the Eagles in the opening quarter, leading 8-0 with 4:35 to go. Lexi Oge got the and-1 basket to put the WildCats on the board. However, the Eagles continued their offensive pressure as the minutes wound down. Bridgewater led 15-9.

The WildCats found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter to bring the score within three with just under seven minutes to go with Sophia Stevens knocking down free throws and Maddie Pabon from behind the arc.

Randolph trailed 31-22 at halftime before turning in their strongest quarter of the game in the third, outscoring Bridgewater 21-17 to cut the deficit to five entering the final period. Randolph continued to pressure defensively and closed within four in the fourth quarter, but Bridgewater's free throws down the stretch sealed the outcome.

Stevens led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 at the line. Brooklyn Finnerty added a strong performance off the bench with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for a double-double. Maddie Pabon chipped in eight points, and Pariz Minor contributed six points and nine rebounds.

Randolph held a major advantage on the glass, outrebounding Bridgewater 47-26 and scoring 16 second-chance points. The WildCats also outscored the Eagles in the paint, 32-28, and received 15 points from the bench.

The team is back home on Tuesday when Hollins comes to town for a 7 p.m. tipoff.