Randolph-Macon defeated Roanoke, 73-67 in a come-from-behind win at Bast Gym on Saturday afternoon. The loss dropped the women to 3-2 overall; 1-2 in the ODAC. The Yellow Jackets, ranked #22 in the latest D3Hoops Poll, improved to 5-0; 3-0 in ODAC play.
The Yellow Jackets, who have won 13 of the last 15 games vs. Roanoke, had their closest game of the season. The Maroons played without starting guard
Jaleesa Osborne, who sat out with an injury.
It was indeed a tight game, with 16 lead changes and 11 ties. Both teams would battle back and forth in the first half, as there were eight ties and 11 lead changes. The Maroons won the rebounding battle, 22-14 in the first half.
The Maroons would go on a 6-0 run to end the half and take a 32-39 lead. The run was highlighted by
Catilyn Long's four-point play as she was fouled after making a three-pointer and converted on a free throw.
The Maroons mounted their largest lead of the game, 38-31 with 15:09 remaining off a jumper by
Jordan Gholson.
Their lead would slowly slip away as the Yellow Jackets would gain the lead with seven minutes to go, 50-49 off two Nicole Childress free throws.
Seniors
Erin Hanson and
Torri Bridge scored the next eight points, completing an 8-2 run to regain the lead, 57-52 with five minutes remaining.
Randolph-Macon, who made 22-of23 free throws in the second half, connected on their last 12 attempts to regain the lead and eventually ice the game.
The Maroons were led by Hanson with 22 points, nine rebounds and three assists. She has moved into fifth all-time in scoring at Roanoke (1,263). Long finished with 11 points and Bridge chipped in 10 points along with six assists.
Roanoke out rebounded RMC, 39-31 as junior
Erin Jenkins had a career-high eight boards. She also had four assists, also a career-high. The Maroons won the points in the paint battle, 32-20 including 10-2 in second chance points and 18-6 in bench scoring.
But too many turnovers proved costly for Roanoke, committing 23 on the afternoon. The Yellow Jackets scored 22 points off turnovers.
The Yellow Jackets had five players score in double-figures, led by Amanda Hiltunen with 16 points, 5-of-5 from the free throw line. Molly Ariail finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Maroons will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 4 as they travel to play against Lynchburg. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
