Date: Friday, January 16, 2009
Contact: Robert Dignazio / Sports Information Intern
(804) 752-7387, robertdignazio@rmc.edu

 R-MC Uses Big First Half to Beat Guilford 84-64 in Women's Basketball Action

 Ashland, Va. - Molly Ariail registered a double-double, scoring 28 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, to power Randolph-Macon past Guilford 84-64 on Friday night in Crenshaw Gymnasium. The junior tallied 13 points in the first eight minutes of the first half to help the Yellow Jackets build an early 25-7 lead. Randolph-Macon improves to 8-4 (6-2 ODAC), while Guilford falls to 6-8 (5-4 ODAC).

 Ariail, Amanda Hiltunen, and Lindsay Riesbeck each scored at least 10 points in the first half. Hiltunen netted two three-pointers, Riesbeck drained four field goals, and Ariail shot six-for-seven from the field as the trio combined for 35 points. Hiltunen also dished five assists in the first twenty minutes of play.

 After entering halftime with a 44-27 lead, R-MC outscored Guilford 21-10 in the first nine minutes of the second stanza. Ariail tallied 10 points on the run, while Amanda Hiltunen drained five points and Renee Stein netted two. Jillian Asay converted back-to-back layups to give the Yellow Jackets a 65-37 lead with 11 minutes remaining in regulation.

 Asay drained a three-pointer and Katie Williams converted a layup with 4:36 remaining, putting the Yellow Jackets' ahead by 31 points, their largest lead of the game.

 Both teams have shot well from behind the arc this season. The Yellow Jackets entered the game leading the nation in three-point field goal percentage (43%). The Quakers, on the other hand, led the ODAC in three-pointers per game (6.8). Both teams continued to shoot well from the perimeter on Friday. Guilford shot 6-for-12 (50%) from behind the arc tonight, while Randolph-Macon shot 7-for-16 (43.8%) from three-point land.

Lauren LeVevers made three trifectas to pace GC (6-8 / 5-4 ODAC) with 12 points on the night. Jasmine Wood and Tracey Croner chipped in with nine point apiece in the loss. The Quakers committed 23 turnovers that led to 25 Yellow Jacket points.

Randolph-Macon returns to action on Saturday when the Yellow Jackets host Emory & Henry at 4:00.  Guilford will travel to Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. tip.

- Yellow Jackets -