ASHLAND, Va.Â
– Randolph-Macon men's basketball opened conference play with a 50-41 win in a defensive battle against 21
st-ranked Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday night.
Score: Randolph-Macon 50, #21 Virginia Wesleyan 51
Venue:Â Crenshaw Gym
Records:Â Randolph-Macon (3-2, 1-0 ODAC), Virginia Wesleyan (6-1, 0-1 ODAC)
How it Happened
- Both teams traded three pointers on their first possession to get the scoring started. VWU grabbed their largest lead of the night when it took a 12-7 lead just over four minutes into the game. A jumper by Daniel Mbangue (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) and a triple by Will Coble (Charlotte, N.C./Davidson Day) tied the score at 12 before Coble hit another shot to put RMC in front.
- Keishawn Pulley Jr. (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's School) began his big night by added back-to-back threes to extend RMC's lead out to 26-18. The Yellow Jackets held off a short run by the Marlins to take a 31-27 lead into the halftime break.
- Both defenses locked down in the second half as neither team could buy a bucket in the first two minutes. RMC broke the scoring drought to take a 33-27 lead. The Yellow Jackets were held scoreless for the next five and a half minutes as the Marlins tied the score at 33. RMC proceeded to go on a 7-2 run that would build out the lead that would hold for the remainder. Eight straight points by Keishawn Pulley Jr. over a span of less than two minutes gave him 20 points on the night as RMC pulled away for a 50-41 win.
Inside the Numbers
- Pulley Jr. was efficient from the field on his way to a 20-point performance. He shot 8-10 and 3-5 from deep.
- Daniel Mbangue had his first game of the season with double-digit rebounds, posting eight points and 11 boards.
- RMC held VWU to just 5-20 from the field and 0-4 from three in the second half of play, keeping them to just 14 points.
- The Marlins' 41 points marks the 14th time since the beginning of last season that RMC has held an opponent under 50 points.
- Margad Choijilsuren (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) filled the stat sheet with six points, three boards, three assists, two blocks, and a steal on the night.
For the Record
- RMC moves to 14-4 against ranked opponents since 2019 after defeating 21st-ranked Virginia Wesleyan.
Up Next
- Randolph-Macon will be back in action on Saturday for a road ODAC contest at Randolph for a 2:00 p.m. tipoff.
