LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's basketball team hosted Averett in the first meeting of the two teams since the Cougars joined the ODAC. The WildCats took a double digit lead in the second quarter and never trailed as they won 81-52 on Wednesday night at Giles Gymnasium.

Randolph improves its overall record to 14-2 and 8-1 in the conference. The victory for the WildCats is the first over Averett since 2014.

The WildCats led 5-0 two minutes into the first quarter. Averett came back to narrow their deficit to one point. With a 7-6 lead with 6:08 showing on the game clock, Randolph went on an 11-0 run to lead 18-6 with 2:41 remaining in the period. The Cougars closed to single digits but the 'Cats were ahead 22-14 at the conclusion of the quarter.

In the second quarter, Randolph started the period on a 14-4 run to increase their advantage to 36-18 with 6:23 on the game clock. The Cougars closed to within 13 points but Randolph led 44-29 at the break.

Averett started the third quarter with back-to-back layups to make the score 44-33. The WildCats' 13-2 run blew the game open to give them a 57-35 lead. The Cougars closed the gap to 17 points to begin the fourth quarter but it was too much Randolph in the end as they cruised to the victory.

"Overall very solid win for our squad," said head coach Steve Lanpher.  "I thought in the first half we allowed Averett to force us into some uncharacteristic turnovers and quick shots. However, in the second half we did a nice job defending and containing them while getting out in transition.

Randolph shot 24-of-50 (48%) from the floor but just 3-of-11 (27.3%) in three-point attempts. The WildCats were a season-high 30-of-39 (76.9%) in free throws made and attempted.

Both teams had 33 rebounds. Randolph controlled the paint with a 38-24 advantage.

Jessica Jennings (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) led the WildCats with 14 points and seven assists. Teniyah Crenshaw-Patterson (Newport News, Va./Heritage) added 13 points. Kylie Stark (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) scored 12 points to go with seven steals and two assists. Nadia West (Monroe, Va./Amherst County) led in rebounds with seven and added eight points. Abbie Baker (Salem, Va./Patrick Henry) finished with eight points, three rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Yanessa Cabrera (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) chipped in nine points, four rebounds, and three assists.

"I thought Abbie and Nadia gave us a nice combination of scoring and rebounding, noted Lanpher.  "Jess, Ness, and Kylie were extremely active in defense with 10 steals combined.  Jess continues to be our super sub who ignites us on both ends."

Randolph travels to Salem on Saturday to face Roanoke. Game time will be at 2:00 p.m.