WINCHESTER, VA.- The Randolph women's basketball team returned from its Thanksgiving break on Sunday as it took on defending ODAC champion Shenandoah. Both teams were locked in a defensive battle all game long as Randolph made four consecutive free throws in the final seconds to come away with a 50-46 victory.
It is the WildCats' first win at Shenandoah since February 2017. The victory improves Randolph's record to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. SU drops to 3-2 and 1-1 in the ODAC.
"Tough ODAC road win for us," said head coach Steve Lanpher after the game. "Both teams struggled offensively for much of the game and a lot of that had to do with the defensive prowess of both teams. Especially proud of our resilience in the fourth quarter."
The biggest lead in the first quarter for either team was three points. Both teams were neck and neck in the second quarter. The Hornets led 27-22 with 1:39 remaining in the period. The WildCats cut into the lead with four seconds remaining as Yanessa Cabrera (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) hit a jumper and then converted a free throw to make it a one-possession contest, 27-25, at halftime.
Shenandoah started the third quarter on a 9-2 run to lead 36-27 with 5:08 showing on the game clock. The WildCats responded with an 8-0 run to close out the period and trail 36-35 going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth period, Shenandoah again went on a run, this time 8-0, to restore its advantage back to nine points, 44-35, with 6:41 remaining to play. Randolph responded with an 11-0 run to overtake the Hornets and lead 46-44 with 3:20 left. After both teams exchanged missed baskets, SU tied the game at 46-all with 1:39 to play. The teams then exchanged turnovers. Randolph had possession with 26 ticks left. After the WildCats grabbed the offensive rebound following a missed shot, a foul by Shenandoah's Terese Greene put Cameron O'Neil (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) on the free throw line with seven seconds left. O'Neil converted both attempts as the WildCats went on top 48-46. With time winding down, Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) went to the charity stripe with a pair of free throws and made both to complete the scoring.
Both teams were nearly identical in overall shooting. Randolph was 17-of-59 (28.8%) while Shenandoah was 16-of-57 (28.1%). The WildCats were able to win the rebounding battle 40-36. Randolph had an advantage in second chance points 15-10 and in points in the paint 22-20.
Crenshaw-Patterson led the 'Cats with 14 points. She added nine rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Cabrera finished with eight points as did Simone Brown (Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor). Abbie Baker (Salem, Va./Patrick Henry) matched Crenshaw-Patterson with nine boards.
Teniyah was especially strong for us as she scored 14 pts & hauled down 9 rebounds!, noted Lanpher. "Very proud of our post play today especially from Abbie (4 pts - 9 rebounds & Simone ( 8 pts -4 rebounds)."
Randolph will next face cross-city rival Lynchburg on Wednesday. Game time will be at 7:00 p.m.