SAN JUAN, P.R. - Randolph-Macon women's basketball started their Puerto Rico winter break trip with a huge 58-57 victory over Rhode Island College.
Catherine Kagey (Roanoke, Va./Faith Christian) led the way with her second double-double of the season.
The Basics:
Score: (RV) Randolph-Macon 58, Rhode Island College 57
Venue: San Juan, P.R. // Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum // Puerto Rico Clasico
Records: Randolph-Macon (8-1, 2-0 ODAC), Rhode Island College (6-4, 3-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Rhode Island grabbed the quick lead following a Meagan Schuermann free throw for the 3-2 advantage. Bella Bruce (Herndon, Va./Westfield) knocked down a three ball and Sam Smith (Chesterfield, Va./St. Gertrude's) converted free throws to give Randolph-Macon the 7-3 lead with 5:19 left in the first period. The Yellow Jackets would hold their four to five point lead until Schuermann made a three-pointer to pull the Anchorwomen within one point, still trailing 13-12. In the final thirty seconds of the period, Jaina Yekelchik gave Rhode Island a two point lead with a three ball. The Lemon and Black answered with a Bruce lay-up with :09 seconds remaining to put the score at 17-17, ending the first period.
- In the second period, the Anchorwomen were able to build a slim four point lead in the first three minutes. Randolph-Macon would go on to score the next four points to turn the score back to even at 24-24 with six minutes left in the half. Rhode Island would again mount a four quick four point run of their own to swing the lead back in their favor. Juliana Park (Fairfax Station, Va./Davidson Day) buried a three-pointer and Kagey made a lay-up to swing the advantage back to the Yellow Jackets, leading 29-28 with 3:54 left. In the final three minutes of the period, Rhode Island would head into the locker room with a 34-32 lead.
- Both teams began the third period ice cold offensively, as two Bruce free throws would be the first points of the period with over three minutes off the clock. Maggie Schwab made a jumper to again push the Anchorwomen back in front at 39-38. The theme of the game would be slim leads, as Kagey converted a mid range jump shot to give Randolph-Macon the lead back at 40-39 with under a minute left. The game would slow down as thirteen total points were scored in the third period. The Yellow Jackets would take a 40-39 lead into the final ten minutes of the game.
- The Lemon and Black used tough defense to produce offense, outscoring Rhode Island 7-2 in the first five minutes of the fourth period. Marisa Ziegler (Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll) scored the first four points and the run was capped off by a Bruce bucket plus the foul shot, giving Randolph-Macon a 47-41 lead. The lead was extended to 52-43 with 3:31 left for the Yellow Jackets. Rhode Island used a much needed timeout and hit back-to-back three pointers to pull the deficit down to 52-49 with :40 seconds remaining in the game. The Lemon and Black made six clutch free throws in the final thirty seconds to take home a 58-57 win.
Inside the Numbers:
- Rhode Island Coll. shot 41.2 percent from the floor, as Randolph-Macon knocked down 33.3 percent of its shots.
- The Yellow Jackets outrebounded the Anchorwomen 35-to-30 in the entire game.
- Kagey recorded her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
- Bruce and Park also landed themselves in double figure point totals with 11 each.
- Ziegler tied her career high in assists with six in the game. The senior also scored six points and pulled down two rebounds.
- Morgan Miller (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) ended the game with eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.
- McKenzie Matheny (Fairfax Station, Va./West Springfield) also had a nice game off the bench with six points and six rebounds.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will conclude its trip in Puerto Rico at the Puerto Rico Clasico with a matchup with Southern Maine tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
