ASHLAND, Va. – Senior Joe Hassell (Portsmouth, Va./Indian River) recorded his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds as the No. 22 Randolph-Macon men's basketball team pulled out a 74-69 overtime decision over Averett Thursday evening in Crenshaw Gymnasium.

Sophomore Michael Taylor (Apex, N.C./Grace Christian) buried a three-pointer from the top of the key with 2:15 remaining in the extra period to put the Yellow Jackets (7-2) ahead to stay at 69-67. Senior Marcus Badger (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) sank a pair of free throws with 1:06 left to extend the lead to 71-67. Hassell hit one of two free throws and senior Connor Sullivan (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School) hit a pair of foul shots with six seconds left to make it 74-67 before a layup by the Cougars (5-4) finished the scoring.

Averett led by as many as five early in the second half before a jumper by Badger gave R-MC a 45-44 advantage with 11:30 to go. Hassell made a layup with 2:03 left to put R-MC on top 66-64 before a Cougar layup with 1:40 left tied it at 66-66. Neither team was able to score in the final 1:40, sending the game to overtime.

R-MC jumped out to a 15-9 lead in the first 7:15 before Averett scored seven straight to take a 16-15 edge. Sullivan sank three free throws with four seconds left in the half to give the Yellow Jackets a 31-29 advantage. Trevor West nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the Cougars to the locker room with a 32-31 lead.

Senior Akeem Holmes (King William, Va./King William) had 11 points, nine rebounds and six blocks off the bench in 20 minutes of action for the Yellow Jackets. Badger finished with eight points and five assists.

West finished with 17 points and Bradley Robinson added 16 for the Cougars.

Randolph-Macon breaks for Christmas before returning to Crenshaw Gymnasium on Monday, Dec. 29 for a 7 p.m. contest against Carroll in the first round of the Coaches Classic sponsored by Kay Jewelers.