LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's basketball team hosted Virginia Wesleyan in an ODAC contest on Saturday afternoon at Giles Gymnasium. The Marlins defeated the WildCats by the score of 79-52.

The score was tied at 5-5 at the 15:12 mark of the first half. Randolph would go on to take its first lead with 11:32 showing on the game clock on a layup by Elijah Cox (Galax, Va./Carroll County). The WildCats had an 11-10 lead at 10:55. The Marlins went on a 17-6 run to go ahead 27-17 with 4:02 showing on the clock. The 'Cats closed to within seven points at 27-20 but VWU finished the half on a 4-0 run to lead 31-20 at the break.

A Khalil Caple (Suffolk, Va./Kings Fork HS) jumper to start the second half made it a 31-22 game 25 seconds into the period. Virginia Wesleyan went on an 18-4 run to take a 49-26 lead at 13:40. The WildCats were able to cut into their deficit with a 9-0 run to make it 49-35 VWU at 12:19. The Marlins added to their advantage as they were up by 28 points, 73-45, with 3:10 left which represented its largest lead of the day.

The WildCats were 18-of-49 (36.7%) from the floor while the Marlins shot 31-of-70 (44.3%). VWU led in rebounds 42-34.

Caple led the 'Cats with 15 points to go with four rebounds. Aveion Tucker (Newport News, Va./Woodside HS) added 13 points and three rebounds. Stacy Byrd (Amelia Court House, Va./The Carmel School) pulled down a team-high seven boards.

Randolph hosts Averett on Wednesday evening. Game time will be at 7:00 p.m.