WINCHESTER, Va. - Randolph-Macon women's basketball won its fourteenth straight game, behind a career night by
Marisa Ziegler (Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll) and three Yellow Jackets scoring in double figures, defeating Shenandoah 60-55.
The Basics:
Score: (RV) Randolph-Macon 60, Shenandoah 55
Venue: Winchester, Va. // James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center // Shenandoah University
Records: Randolph-Macon (15-1, 8-0 ODAC), Shenandoah (10-6, 6-3 ODAC)
How it Happened:
- Randolph-Macon were aggressive early in the game, forcing two quick fouls on the Hornets around the basket. Bella Bruce (Herndon, Va./Westfield) drew a foul behind the arc and knocked down all three free throws to kickstart the Yellow Jackets early. Catherine Kagey (Roanoke, Va./Faith Christian) and Sam Smith (Chesterfield, Va./St. Gertrudes) both answered three free throws with driving layups to push the lead to 7-0 for the Yellow Jackets with 6:48 left in the first period. Shenandoah would turn up the intensity and score the next five points to pull within two points at 7-5. The Hornets came out of a timeout and took the lead on a Maddie Kimble driving layup to take their first lead of the game at 12-10 with 3:06 remaining. Shenandoah would hold onto its lead for the final three minutes and take a 16-12 lead into the second period.
- In the second period, the Lemon and Black saw baskets by McKenzie Matheny (Fairfax Station, Va./West Springfield) and Kagey to keep the deficit within one possession. Addisyn Banks knocked down a three ball at the 6:05 mark until halftime to push the Hornet lead to 20-16. Both teams would trade baskets before the media timeout and Shenandoah would hold a 22-18 lead with 4:17 until halftime. Ziegler buried a three ball and Kagey made a driving layup on the possession to follow, scoring five quick points for Randolph-Macon and taking back the lead 23-22 with 2:29 until halftime. Matheny and Ziegler both added to the now 9-0 run to catapult the Yellow Jackets into halftime with a 27-22 lead.
- Both teams would trade baskets for the first five minutes of the third period, Shenandoah got within two at different points, but the Yellow Jackets managed to weather the storm. Kagey made two free throws with 5:29 left in the period to push the lead back to six points at 35-29 for the Lemon and Black. The Hornets were able to pull the deficit down to 37-33 and Randolph-Macon would respond with four straight points. Ziegler and Kagey each made a bucket to grow the lead to 41-33; the biggest lead for Randolph-Macon up to this point in the game with 2:43 on the clock. Time was expiring in the third period and Kagey converted another bucket to give the Yellow Jackets a 43-36 point lead heading into the final ten minutes.
- In the fourth period, Ziegler made a huge three ball to put Randolph-Macon up 47-36 early in the final ten minutes. The Yellow Jackets were able to use yet another Ziegler three-pointer with 5:29 left in the game to push the lead back to double digits at 54-43. The Hornets would construct a furious 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 54-51 with 2:39 left in the game. The Lemon and Black would step up defensively and dodge two straight game-tying three balls and grab a rebound with 1:46 left in the game and the ball. Matheny made two huge free throws with 1:26 left in the game to take the lead to 56-51. Shenandoah scored the next four points to pull within one point, still trailing 56-55 with :21 seconds left. Morgan Miller (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) knocked down two much needed free throws to push the lead back to 58-55 with :13 seconds left. Kagey picked off the pass from the Hornets and was fouled and made her free throws to ice the game and give Randolph-Macon the 60-55 win.
Inside the Numbers:
- Randolph-Macon shot 38.2 percent from the floor, as Shenandoah knocked down 37.7 percent of its shots.
- The Hornets outrebounded the Yellow Jackets 40-to-35 in the entire game.
- Ziegler notched a career high in points with 17 points. The senior was 3-of-6 from the three point line and also pulled down four rebounds.
- Kagey ended the game with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Yellow Jackets. The senior also recorded a career high in steals with seven in the game. She also added four blocks and two assists.
- Matheny scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds for Randolph-Macon.
- Smith recorded six points, five rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will head to Averett University for a road contest on Saturday, Jan. 25, for a 1 p.m. conference clash.
