VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The No. 26 Randolph-Macon men's basketball team ended the game on an 11-4 run over the final five minutes in winning 55-47 at seventh-ranked Virginia Wesleyan Wednesday evening in the ODAC opener for both clubs.

Senior Chris Hamilton (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook) tallied 12 second-half points to lead the Yellow Jackets (4-2, 1-0 ODAC).

Senior Evan Jackson (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) made a layup on R-MC's first possession before the Marlins used an 11-4 run to lead 11-6 five minutes into the contest. The Yellow Jackets trailed 17-12 before freshman Mike Silverthorn (Hackettstown, N.J./Blair Academy) hit three treys during an 11-2 run as R-MC took a 23-19 advantage with four minutes left in the first period. VWC scored six straight to lead by two prior to a free throw by senior Marcus Badger (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) and a short jumper by senior Connor Sullivan (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School) to give the Yellow Jackets a 26-25 lead at intermission.

The Marlins scored the first nine points of the second period to take a 34-26 lead, but would go scoreless for more that seven minutes. Hamilton hit three treys to spark a 14-0 run as R-MC took a 40-34 with 12:25 remaining. VWC broke its drought with three consecutive layups knotted the score at 40-40 with 8:20 to go. Hamilton hit a baseline jumper and freshman Rip Engel (New Town, Pa./Life Center Academy) made a layup to put R-MC back on top 44-40 with 6:30 remaining.

The Marlins cut the lead to one at 44-43 before the Yellow Jackets scored six straight to take a 50-43 lead with two minutes remaining. R-MC scored its final five points from the free throw line to finish the 55-47 victory.

The Yellow Jackets held a 46-35 advantage on the boards. Senior Akeem Holmes (King William, Va./King William) pulled down eight rebounds, while Jackson finished with six points and seven boards.

The R-MC defense held VWC to 32% shooting from the floor (20-62) and just 15% on three-pointers (3-20).

Randolph-Macon returns to Crenshaw Gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a 2 p.m. ODAC contest against undefeated Lynchburg.