ASHLAND, Va. – Senior Andre Simon (Newport News, Va./Menchville) scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as Randolph-Macon defeated Dickinson 77-71 at Crenshaw Gymnasium in the finale of the Coaches Classic sponsored by Kay Jewelers.

It was the third double-double of the season for Simon. Junior Marcus Badger (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) added 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and five steals.

The Yellow Jackets (6-4) jumped out to a 12-8 lead in the first four minutes before a 26-13 run by the Red Devils (9-2) gave the visitors a 34-25 advantage with 4:40 to go in the period. R-MC finished the half on a 15-5 spurt to take a 40-39 lead at the break.

R-MC scored the first six points of the second half to take a 46-39 lead before Dickinson put up a 9-2 run to knot the score at 48-48 with just under 15 minutes remaining. The teams stayed within two points of each other over the next eight minutes. The score was tied for the 13th time at 62-62 with 7:20 left before a Simon free throw put the Yellow Jackets ahead to stay. R-MC led by as many as seven before posting the 77-71 victory.

The Yellow Jackets held a 44-34 advantage on the boards and pulled down 22 offensive rebounds. R-MC turned the ball over just nine times, while the Red Devils committed 17 miscues.

Adam Honig of Dickinson led all scorers with 27 points, while Gerry Wixted added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Badger was named the Most Valuable Player of the Coaches Classic (pictured below, photo by Nick Liberante). R-MC junior Akeem Holmes (King William, Va./King William) was named to the All-Tournament Team (pictured below, photo by Nick Liberante), along with Honig, Ross Welch of Birmingham Southern and Zeb Richardson of Guilford.

In the day's first game, Larry Thomas had 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Welch added 12 points as BMC defeated Guilford 72-56. Richardson had seven points and 11 boards for the Quakers.

Randolph-Macon plays its final non-conference game on Saturday, January 4 at 2 p.m. at Gettysburg.