SALEM, Va.Â
– Top-seeded Randolph-Macon men's basketball had five players score in double figures as the Yellow Jackets fell in the ODAC semifinals to Washington and Lee on Saturday.
Score:Â #1 Randolph-Macon 71, #4 Washington and Lee 74
Venue: Salem Civic CenterÂ
Records:Â Randolph-Macon (23-4), Washington and Lee (18-9)
How it Happened:
- The Generals scored the first points of the game but was followed by a triple by Amr Areikat (Ramallah, Palestine/Langley) to give RMC the lead. A 5-0 run helped RMC build an 8-4 lead but W&L found their groove, going on a 12-2 run to give the Generals a 16-10 lead. The lead got extended out to nine at 24-15 but a late surge in the first half, including a five-point swing to end the half, helped cut the deficit to 29-28 before the halftime break.
- Keishawn Pulley Jr. (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's School) made a layup and Amr Areikat hit another three to open the second half before handing the baton to Lance Johnson (South Riding, Va./Freedom) who had six points in the paint to give RMC a 41-36 lead. The Fairfax natives of Margad Choijilsuren and Daniel Mbangue traded buckets to help RMC grow a 49-40 lead with 10 minutes to go. Mbangue hit one more out of a timeout to give the Yellow Jackets their first double digit lead of the game at 51-40. A 10-3 run for the Generals forced RMC to take a timeout as the lead was cut to four with seven minutes to go. RMC continued scoring but the Generals kept pace as they cut the lead to three despite two players fouling out with two minutes to go. A second chance bucket after an RMC turnover allowed W&L to tie the game up with a three pointer with less than a minute to go. The Generals hit a three with just over 30 seconds left to take the lead. RMC answered with a Vincent Payne (Frederick, Md./St. Maria Goretti) three to regain the lead but W&L hit another with nine seconds left and forced an RMC turnover to seal the game and earn the upset.
Inside the Numbers:
- Lance Johnson led RMC with 16 points on 7-11 shooting. He also finished with five rebounds.
- Daniel Mbangue totaled 13 points along with five rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
- Keishawn Pulley Jr. had 15 points to couple with four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
- RMC shot 48% from the field, marking the 11th game this year shooting at least 48%.
- The Yellow Jackets had nine steals. They were 16-2 when having seven or more steals coming into the game.
- Amr Areikat hit three triples for 11 points on the day.
- Vincent Payne also hit three triples as he finished with 10 points.
- RMC had a 40-18 advantage in points in the paint.
Up Next
- Randolph-Macon will await the NCAA selection show on Monday at 1:00 p.m.
