ASHLAND, Va.Â
– A 39-4 first half run helped #4 Randolph-Macon men's hoops cruise to a 77-45 win over Baruch in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Score:Â Randolph-Macon 77, Baruch 45
Venue: Crenshaw GymÂ
Records:Â Randolph-Macon (24-4), Baruch (19-9)
How it Happened:
- Daniel Mbangue (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) began the game with a jumper in the lane after a pair of empty possessions by both teams. Baruch shot out to a 9-4 run but then the flood gates opened for RMC, going on a 24-2 run that gave all momentum in the Yellow Jackets' favor. The lead was pushed out to 30 after a Keishawn Pulley Jr. (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's School) three and a Lance Johnson (South Riding, Va./Freedom) layup made the score 43-13, completing a 39-4 run, with two minutes to go in the first half. Randolph-Macon shot 62% from the field in the first half and hit six threes on 12 attempts.
- Both teams were scoring evenly in the beginning of the second half. RMC's lead remained around 30 and peaked at 35 when the Yellow Jackets made the score 67-32 after another three by Pulley Jr. The Bearcats found their groove offensively, dwindling the lead down to 25 with a string of baskets but it was too little, too late as RMC finished a dominating win in the opening round of the tournament.
Inside the Numbers:
- Keishawn Pulley Jr. finished with a team-high 18 points along with eight assists and four rebounds. He also had zero turnovers in the 21 minutes.
- 11 different RMC players scored in the game.
- RMC shot 52.6% from the field. It marks their first game shooting over 50% since a win over Averett on Jan. 24.
- Daniel Mbangue was the only other Yellow Jackets player in double figures, scoring 12 points with four rebounds and three assists.
- RMC outrebounded the Bearcats 43-24.
- The Yellow Jackets had 20 assists, marking the fourth time this season having 20+ assists.
- Joe Bachman (Wilmington, N.C./Greensboro Day) and Margad Choijilsuren (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) combined for 12 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.
- Theo Antinori (Asheville, N.C./Rabun Gap) played a career-high 17 minutes and hit a pair of threes for a career-high in points with six.
Up Next
- Randolph-Macon will host Saint Joseph (Conn.) tomorrow night for the second round of the NCAA Tournament at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available on rmcathletics.com.
