ASHLAND, Va. - Randolph-Macon women's basketball saw
Catherine Kagey (Roanoke, Va./Faith Christian) record her thirteenth double-double of the season to help defeat #20 Elizabethtown and moved into the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007.
The Basics:
Score: #14 Randolph-Macon 62, #20 Elizabethtown 56
Venue: Ashland, Va. // Crenshaw Gym // Randolph-Macon College
Records: Randolph-Macon (29-1, 16-0 ODAC), Elizabethtown (23-5, 16-2 Landmark)
How it Happened:
- Elizabethtown jumped out to a 4-2 lead with two straight baskets with 9:05 on the clock. The Yellow Jackets answered in a big way, outscoring the Blue Jays 8-0 for the next four minutes, taking a 10-4 lead. The score would be 12-9 with Elizabethtown making a run, but Morgan Miller (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) nailed a three ball to put the lead back to fix at 15-9 with 3:21 remaining in the first period. The Blue Jays were able to get back within three points, scoring five of the final seven points of the period. The Lemon and Black still would hold a 17-14 lead after the first ten minutes.
- In the second period, Elizabethtown knocked down a three pointer to tie up the game at 17-17 with just a minute off the clock. The teams would trade baskets for the next three minutes and the Blue Jays were able to stay within one point, trailing 24-23. Miller came through clutch again, burying a triple to extend the lead to 27-23 with 6:10 left in the period. Elizabethtown never wavered and took the lead with five straight points for a 28-27 lead. Juliana Park (Fairfax Station, Va./Davidson Day) knocked down a three ball and Bella Bruce (Herndon, Va./Westfield) followed with a bucket of her own. Randolph-Macon used those five straight points to build up its lead to 32-28 with 4:12 on the clock. Neither team was giving an inch for the remainder of the period, as the Blue Jays would tie up the game again with under a minute remaining at 35-35. Park came through once again, nailing another three ball to send the Lemon and Black into the locker room with momentum and a 38-35 lead.
- The Yellow Jackets and Blue Jays played a slower paced third period, as only 17 total points were scored between both sides. Randolph-Macon was able to keep Elizabethtown at arms length and keep the lead to four to six points the entire ten minute period. Bruce kept the momentum on the Lemon and Black's side with a three-pointer with thirty seconds left, extending the lead to 49-41.
- In the fourth period, the Blue Jays flexed their muscles on both ends of the floor, scoring the first twelve points of the final ten minute period. The dominant run would shoot Elizabethtown into the lead at 53-49 with 3:25 left in the game. Miller buried a must needed three ball to stop the scoreless drought and bring the Yellow Jackets to within a point, trailing 53-52. Defense was on full display for Randolph-Macon soon after the Miller bucket, turning the Blue Jays over in four straight possessions. Smith turned over Elizabethtown and was fouled and would from there knock down to free throws to give the Lemon and Black a 54-53 lead with 2:34 left on the clock. McKenzie Matheny (Fairfax Station, Va./West Springfield) made a layup and Sam Smith (Chesterfield, Va./St. Gertrudes) buried the biggest three-pointer of the game with :41 seconds on the clock. The tough defense and clutch shooting down the stretch pushed Randolph-Macon into the sweet 16 with a 62-56 win over Elizabethtown.
Inside the Numbers:
- Elizabethtown shot 44.7 percent from the floor, as Randolph-Macon knocked down 31.3 percent of its shots.
- The Yellow Jackets outrebounded the Blue Jays 39-to-36 in the entire game. Randolph-Macon also recorded 19 offensive rebounds to the seven that Elizabethtown had in the contest.
- The Lemon and Black forced 20 turnovers and that would translate into 22 points off of those turnovers.
- Kagey recorded her thirteenth double-double of the season. The senior had 11 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a blocked shot.
- Smith led the team in scoring with 15 points in the game. The sophomore also added four rebounds and four steals to her scoreline.
- Matheny recorded 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Yellow Jackets.
- Miller led the team with three-pointers, as the junior finished with ten points, five rebounds and three assists.
For the Record
- The win today marks the first time the Yellow Jackets have made it to the Sweet 16 round since the 2006-07 season.
- The win tonight is also the 29th of the year for Randolph-Macon, the most since the 30-2 record set back in the 2004-05 season.
- Kagey has jumped into seventh all-time in school history with 813 rebounds, passing Karen Eye'87 and Keisha Bell'90. The senior has also moved into eighth all-time in rebounds in a single season with 310, passing Jane Elkins (304) and Karen Eye (306).
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets will take on #10 Gettysburg in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 14 with a time and location TBA.
