ASHLAND, Va. – Senior Chris Hamilton (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook) hit four three-pointers and recorded 18 points, while senior Joe Hassell (Portsmouth, Va./Indian River) contributed 16 points and seven rebounds as the top-ranked Randolph-Macon men's basketball team defeated Catholic 78-65 in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Saturday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd of 1,511 at Crenshaw Gymnasium.

The Yellow Jackets (27-2) extended their school-record win streak to 24 games and advanced to the sectional round of the NCAA Tournament. R-MC will learn on Sunday whether it will host or be forced to travel.

R-MC was hot early, building a 24-13 lead with 10:35 left in the first half. The Yellow Jackets led 31-21 before the Cardinals (23-6) closed the half on a 9-4 run to trail 35-30 at intermission. Hamilton had 11 first-half points, going 4 for 6 from the floor and 3 for 5 on treys. Hassell had eight points and six boards.

The Yellow Jackets started the second half on a 7-1 spurt to take a 42-31 lead three minutes in. CUA went on a 13-7 run to make it a five-point game at 49-44 with 12:45 remaining. R-MC scored five quick points to push the lead back to 10 at 54-44 with 12:00 to go. A four-point play by Hamilton with 7:19 remaining capped a 6-0 run as the Yellow Jackets lead 66-52. R-MC would keep a double-figure lead the rest of the way in posting the 78-65 win.

R-MC shot 56.3% from the floor, hitting 27 of 48 from the floor. CUA was held to 39.7% shooting (23 of 58) from the floor and 25% (3 for 12) from beyond the arc.

Junior Lamont Moore (Waverly, Va./Tidewater Academy) scored 13 points off the bench and pulled down six rebounds. Senior Marcus Badger (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) had seven points and seven assists, while fellow senior Trent Walker (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian) registered six assists off the bench.

Corey Stanford led the Cardinals with 22 points and 13 rebounds.