CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN – Wabash wrapped a 20-1 run around the final four minutes of the first half and the first five minutes of the second half as the home standing Little Giants knocked off No. 2 Randolph-Macon 60-45 in the Championship Game of the Pete Thorn Invitational.
R-MC (4-1) was led by Brandon Braxton who scored 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds in a losing effort. Eric Pugh had nine points, while Adam Desgain had eight points off the bench for R-MC.
Wabash (5-0) got a game-high 27 points from Wes Smith in the win.
The Yellow Jackets were held to 34.7% shooting from the floor on 17-of-49 shooting from the floor. Randolph-Macon was 3-of-18 from three point range and were outrebounded 41-31 by the Little Giants.
With the game tied at 26 late in the first half, Wabash went on a 10-0 run to close out the first stanza, taking a 36-26 advantage on an AJ Sutherlin tip in at the buzzer.
The Little Giants opened up the final period with on a 10-1 run, pushing its lead to 46-27 on a layup by Smith with just over 15 minutes to play in the game.
Randolph-Macon will return home where it will open up ODAC play on Wednesday night against No. 12 Virginia Wesleyan in Ashland. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
All-Tournament Team: Wes Smith (WAB-MVP); Aaron Zinnerman (WAB); Eric Pugh (R-MC); Brandon Braxton (R-MC); Brice Rausch (OTT); Tony Mane (UW- La Crosse)