ATLANTA, Ga. – After trailing 51-37 late in the third, Randolph-Macon rallied back to a one-possession game but Bethany was able to hold onto its lead, winning 65-62.
The Basics:
Score: Bethany 65, #12 Randolph-Macon 62
Venue: Atlanta, Ga. // Woodruff PE Center // Emory University
Records: #12 Randolph-Macon (2-2, 0-0 ODAC), Bethany (2-2, 0-0 PAC)
How it Happened
- McKenzie Matheny (Fairfax Station, Va./West Springfield) picked up from where she left off against Emory, as the senior knocked down two jumpers and a layup in the first five minutes to give her squad an eight-to-seven advantage. With the lead, Emily Olsen (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) checked into the game and immediately sunk a midrange jumper and two free throws to extend the Yellow Jackets' lead to 13-10. After Ella Simpson converted an and-one for the Bison to knot the game 13-13, Sam Smith (Chesterfield, Va./St. Gertrudes) led an eight-to-three run for her team. The junior drilled a three ball and layup in the last two minutes of the quarter to put the Lemon and Black up 21-16 heading into the second.
- The Bison dropped in two quick layups to get within one after just over a minute and 30 seconds of play in the quarter. Emion Byers (Louisa County, Va./Louisa) stopped the run, as she pulled down a rebound and took it to the other end for a quick jumper, helping RMC recapture a 23-20 lead. While Brielle Baughman (East Berlin, Pa./Delone Catholic) and Byers each hit shots to give them each four points on the afternoon, a triple and a few layups from Bethany helped them tie the game 28-28 at the end of the first half.
- Erin Porter (Virginia Beach, Va./Kettle Run) started the half for the Yellow Jackets with her fourth consecutive game with a triple, as she got RMC the early lead. Then, Lindsey Garrison and Porter went shot-for-shot, as Garrison's back-to-back three pointers were split by Porter, as she countered with another make from downtown. While Bethany took a 36-34 lead after a pair of free throws, Porter buried her third three of the quarter to get the Yellow Jackets ahead, 37-36. Garrison continued to make shots, as she guided a 12-0 run for the Bison to help them earn a 48-37 advantage after making some layups and free throws with 2:32 left in the third. While makes from the stripe by Smith and Porter helped RMC find some offense before the fourth, the Bison held a 51-42 lead.
- Madison Langdon (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) was a spark off the bench for Randolph-Macon, as she posted a layup, free throw and jump shot to get within six, down 47-53, forcing a timeout from Bethany. A pair of three throws from Porter and deuce from Olsen saw RMC get within two, down 51-53. The Bison retaliated with seven-straight points, forcing a timeout from the Yellow Jackets down nine with 2:27 remaining in the contest. Out of the break, Porter nailed two free throws and proceeded to make one more after picking up a steal. After successfully defending while down 60-54, Langdon dropped in a huge three ball after Smith was able to find the freshman for her sixth assist of the game. While the Yellow Jackets were able to bring it within two after Mathney registered her eighth point of the contest, the Bison held on to a 65-62 lead to close out the game.
Inside the Numbers
- Randolph-Macon continued to take care of the ball in the contest, only turning the ball over 10 times compared to 25 from Bethany. On the other hand, they totaled 13 steals in the contest and only allowed six from the opposition.
- The Yellow Jackets took advantage of steals, winning the points off turnovers battle 22-to-eight.
- Porter is the only Yellow Jacket to lace a three-pointer in each of the teams' four games. She has also now registered four steals in two of the Yellow Jackets' three road games.
- Additionally, the sophomore's 18 points is the second-highest mark in her career and her seven free throws made is a single game career-high.
- Matheny finished with a game-high 12 rebounds. The senior has now tallied 12 rebounds in back-to-back contests.
- Smith pulled down a season-high six rebounds, including three offensive boards. The guard also tallied six assists, earning her third-straight game with four-or-more assists.
Up Next
Women's basketball returns home to take on Mary Washington in the first game of the RMC Tournament on Friday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m.
