ASHLAND, Va.Â
– Six different players scored in double figures as Randolph-Macon Men's Hoops used a 25-3 run in the first half to dominate Virginia Wesleyan at home, 80-59.
Score:Â #4 Randlph-Macon 80, Virginia Wesleyan 59
Venue:Â Â Crenshaw Gym
Records:Â Randolph-Macon (21-3, 14-1 ODAC), Virginia Wesleyan (18-6, 11-4 ODAC)
How it Happened
- VWU scored the first points of the game on the opening possession. Liam Joyce (Allentown, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) got RMC on the board with a layup on the next possession. Both offenses were clicking to start the game, as VWU led 19-14 at the 12-minute mark. Over the ensuing 11 minutes, the Yellow Jackets erupted for a 25-3 run, led by strong defense and hot shooting, capped off by a three pointer by Jabril Robinson (Rockville, Md./South Kent Prep) to make the score 39-22 with 1:36 left in the first half. Delani Hammonds (Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell) finished the half in a fitting way, a three-point play with one second remaining to give RMC a 44-25 lead at the break.
- The Marlins opened the second frame with a 12-4 run to get them back into the game, trailing 48-37 with 14:54 to go. The next seven points went in favor of the Jackets as they opened the lead back out to 18. A fastbreak bucket by Hammonds with 8:18 remaining pushed the lead out to 20 for the first time in the game. The largest lead of the contest came with 2:16 left, a 79-50 lead for RMC before VWU scored nine of the last 10 points to close it out.
Inside the Numbers
- Robinson led the Yellow Jackets with 18 points. He also had six assists with zero turnovers. He came into the game sixth in the nation with a 3.68 assist/turnover ratio.
- Keishawn Pulley Jr. (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's School) and Amr Areikat (Ramallah, Palestine/Langley) each had 12 points.
- Malcolm Hodges (Richmond, Va./Monacan) totaled 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
- Joyce and Hammonds each finished with 10 points. Joyce had two blocks and a steal. Hammonds had five rebounds and four assists.
- RMC had just three turnovers, their lowest mark of the season. They have had less than 10 turnovers in nine of the last 10 games, coming into the night sixth in the nation in turnovers per game at 9.3.
- RMC's defense held the Marlins to shooting just 37.8% from the field and 27.8% from three. 20 of their 59 points came at the free throw line.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon travels to Randolph on Saturday for the regular season finale at 2:00 p.m.
