For immediate release – 11/18/2015 - #118
WildCats Take Down WPU in Home Opener

LYNCHBURG, VA – Three players scored in double-figures as the Randolph College men's basketball team defeated William Peace University 75-64 on Wednesday night.  The WildCats won the home opener, which was part of a special night for the Randolph College community.

The 'Cats stormed out of the gate and took an early.  Josh Freund (four),Gordon Rogo (two), Zach Desgain (two), and Corey Brown (three) combined to put Randolph up 11-0 before the Pacers called a timeout at 16:25.  The two teams then traded baskets, with Desgain's layup putting the 'Cats back up nine.  However, WPU scored 12 of the next 14 to take a narrow lead after a Ryan Emfinger three.

The WildCats answered straight back, as Desgain came down the other end and hit his own three, putting the score at 20-18 for the hosts.  Chris Thomas made one shortly after, but it would be the final lead William Peace had all night, as Freund came down and hit two more layups in the ensuing 30 seconds.

Reid Jacoby and Lucas Smith followed Freund with layups of their own to push the advantage to seven with six minutes remaining in the half.  In the remaining time, the two teams went back and forth, as the WildCats led 33-26 at the break.

Just as in the first stanza, the 'Cats jumped all over WPU to start the second.  With the exception of a Jalen Vince layup, Randolph scored 11 of the first 13.  Rogo had five points during that stretch including a traditional three-point play.  However, Thomas responded with two makes from beyond the arc to cut the deficit to 44-34.

The drop in the WildCats' lead would not last long.  Over the next six minutes, the 'Cats' defense clamped down and allowed only nine points, with four coming from the charity stripe.  The offense also kicked it into high gear, as Ryan Fields scored five points, Freund added two baskets, and Evan Horn knocked down an emphatic three that sent the Den into a frenzy.

The Pacers did fight back from the 61-43 disadvantage.  Thomas started it off with another shot from three-point distance and William Peace followed it with six of the next eight, bringing the score to 63-52.  But it would be to no avail, as Randolph closed out the game, making 12 free throws over the final 3:39 to seal the victory.

Desgain led the three WildCats in double-digits with 16 points.  He also recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 rebounds.  Freund continued his hot start with 14 points, and Jacoby added 10.  Emfinger led the Pacers (1-1 overall) with a game-high 17 points.  The 'Cats held WPU to under 30% shooting for the game.

Randolph (2-0) will head on the road tomorrow, taking on Christendom at 5 p.m., in what will be its last game for over a week.

Prior to the game, a moment of silence was held for the victims of last week's tragedies.  There was also a blackout, as the Multiethnic Leaders Association of Randolph College brought the community together through a #BlackOut For Peace game.