ASHLAND, Va. – Junior Joe Hassell (Portsmouth, Va./Indian River) scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds to guide Randolph-Macon past Randolph in ODAC action Saturday afternoon at Crenshaw Gymnasium.

The Yellow Jackets (11-4, 5-1) have won seven straight and 10 of the past 11. The victory, coupled with Virginia Wesleyan's win over Guilford, moves R-MC into a three-way tie for first in the ODAC with the Marlins and the Quakers.

Hassell scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half. Junior Connor Sullivan (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School) added 11 points and junior Marcus Badger (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) chipped in 10 for the victors.

R-MC built a five-point lead at 17-12 midway through the first half before an 8-0 run by the Wildcats (9-6, 3-3 ODAC) gave Randolph a 20-17 advantage. The Yellow Jackets closed the half with an 8-2 spurt to take a 25-22 edge at the break.

The Yellow Jackets had a 5-1 run to start the second half and take a 30-23 lead before the Wildcats used a 14-8 spurt to take a 37-36 advantage with 13 minutes remaining. That would be the last lead for the visitors. A layup by Hassell gave R-MC the lead for good and a 14-2 run put the Yellow Jackets ahead 50-39 with just over seven minutes remaining. Randolph pulled to within three at 56-53 with 43 seconds left before single free throws by Sullivan and Badger along with two foul shots by senior Andre Simon (Newport News, Va./Menchville) sealed the victory.

R-MC shot 42.4% from the floor (25-59), while Randolph hit just 19 of 49 field goals (38.8%). Both teams grabbed 36 rebounds. The Yellow Jackets returned the ball over just eight times, while forcing the Wildcats into 16 miscues.

Corey Brown led Randolph with 17 points, while Mike Ehilegbu registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.

Randolph-Macon returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. against nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan at Crenshaw Gymnasium. It will be a battle for first place in the ODAC.