ASHLAND, Va. – The Yellow Jackets secured a 63-53 victory against the Gettysburg Bullets for their second win of the RMC Tip Off Classic, thanks to a career-high 21-point eruption from
Sam Smith (Chesterfield, Va./St. Gertrudes).
The Basics:
Score: #21 Randolph-Macon 63, #24 Gettysburg 53
Venue: Ashland, Va. // Crenshaw Gymnasium // Randolph-Macon College
Records: Randolph-Macon (4-2, 0-0 ODAC), Gettysburg (3-3, 0-0 Centennial)
How it Happened
- Randolph-Macon registered the first two buckets of the game, as McKenzie Matheny (Fairfax Station, Va./West Springfield) and Erin Porter (Virginia Beach, Va./Kettle Run) converted layups to earn the first four points of the game. Over the first eight minutes of the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets' defense held the Bullets to just two points, while Emily Olsen (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) and Madison Langdon (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) both knocked down shots to grab an eight-to-two lead. While Gettysburg hit a three with less than two minutes remaining in the first, Randolph-Macon entered the second quarter leading, eight-to-five.
- Matheny started to percolate in the second, as she fought for a tip-in and then converted on a layup after a nice pass from Smith to lead 12-to-eight. While Anna Wilcox (Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds) checked in and nailed RMC's first three ball, GC countered with one of their own to get within two at 13-15. Randolph-Macon continued to run the pick-and-roll, as Matheny and Smith each tallied baskets to get their team to 21 but Gettysburg found its offense, knocking down midrange shots to even the score. In the final two minutes of the half, Porter seized her opportunity, as she snuck in a layup and drilled a deep three at the buzzer, putting her squad up 28-23 at the half.
- After closing the second with five-straight points, RMC saw Smith drill back-to-back threes in the first two minutes of the half, energizing the crowd, up 34-23. The Bullets then went on a nine-to-two run, scoring on all three levels, to get within four, down 32-36. For the final four minutes of the quarter, some impressive rebounding from Matheny helped the Yellow Jackets hold the Bullets to just 36 points through three quarters. As for the Yellow Jackets, Porter and Langdon scored fastbreak layups, followed by a tactical layup from Smith, to help RMC hold a 43-36 lead heading into the fourth.
- Langdon shined in her first-career start, as she knocked down a shot from distance to put her squad up 46-38 with 9:17 left in the game. After a deep midrange shot from Gettysburg, Smith continued her takeover, lacing a three to extend RMC's lead to 49-40. In the middle of the frame, Gettysburg was able to earn some trips to the line and convert a handful of free throws to get within four, down 48-52. Then, Emion Byers (Louisa County, Va./Louisa County) provided some senior leadership, making clutch shots around the rim to get RMC back out to a 56-48 lead. With a minute remaining, Gettysburg was forced to foul but Smith had ice in her veins. The junior point guard knocked down all six of her attempts from the free throw line to close out the game with a 63-53 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- The Yellow Jackets held a 36-34 advantage over the Bullets in rebounds, including a 13-to-nine advantage in offensive boards. This contributed to a 26-16 lead in points in the paint, as well as a nine-to-five lead in fast break points.
- After not eclipsing the 30 percent mark from three-point range in any of RMC's first five games of the season, the Lemon and Black erupted, as they shot a season-high 40 percent (six-for-15) from downtown.
- Smith led the game in points (21), free throws made (eight), steals (five) and threes made (three). This was her second-ever 20-point game, and first game with 20-or-more points and at least five steals. Furthermore, her three triples made in tonight's contest ties her personal best.
- Matheny led the contest in rebounds (15) and finished second on the team in points (10). The senior forward has now notched a double-double in back-to-back games and has reached the 10 and 10 mark in three of her last four. She has also hauled in 12-or-more rebounds in each of her last four games.
- Byers finished the game with seven rebounds and six points. The senior has now compiled six-or-more rebounds in five of RMC's six games this season.
- After finding the bottom of the net on her deep three, Porter has now knocked down a three-pointer in five of Yellow Jackets' six games this season.
For the Record
- Matheny earned the RMC Tip Off Classic Most Outstanding Player Award and Smith was named to the all-tournament team.
Up Next
Women's hoops remains home on Tuesday, December 2, for a 7:00 p.m. game against Eastern Mennonite University. This will be the Yellow Jackets' first ODAC matchup of the season.
