For Immediate Release – 11/19/15 - #119
WildCats' Defense Sets the Tone in 85-46 Win over Christendom

FRONT ROYAL, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team allowed only four points in the first 14 minutes of the game, as the WildCats defeated Christendom College 85-46 in nonconference action on Thursday night.

Both defenses played well in the early stages, as neither team scored in the first minute of play.  However, the 'Cats got things going shortly after.  Rhyle Scott scored on a tough contested shot, and Josh Freund added five over the next two minutes, including a traditional three-point play to go up 7-0.  Patrick Pennefather knocked down a jumper for the Crusaders soon after, but it was followed by another run from Randolph.

The WildCats scored the next 10 points, as Jason Eddie and Ryan Fields made three-point shots around two baskets from Lucas Smith.  Stephen Foeckler made a jumper for CC at 13:48, but no other Crusader would score until 5:10.  The 'Cats built up a 26-4 lead when Foeckler made a three for the Crusaders.  The teams would trade baskets until the end of the half, when Evan Owensknocked down a three for the 41-18 lead.

Randolph came out of the intermission and continued to assert its control.  Scott, Corey Brown, and Nick Goble all scored in the first 2:23 of the half, canceling out the one basket by the Crusaders, and pushing the lead to 27.  CC responded with four points, but the 'Cats came right back.

Randolph tallied 16 in a row.  Eddie started it off with a three, which was followed by Evan Hornconnecting from distance as well.  Zach Desgain had two steals, which led to fast-break layups for himself and Remele Hicks.  Keion Robinson, Fields, and Freund finished the run off, putting the score at 61-24.

The teams traded baskets throughout the remaining 11 minutes of the game, as the WildCats sealed the victory

Owens led the team in scoring for the first time in his short career, tallying a game-high 14 points.  Fields and Hicks also scored in double-figures, with 13 and 11 respectively.  Hicks also helped the 'Cats outrebound the Crusaders by 11, as he pulled down a game-high eight caroms.  Jacoby dished out seven assists.

Randolph forced Christendom into committing 19 turnovers, and the WildCats held them to 33.3% shooting for the game.  Pennefather led the Crusaders (2-4 overall) with nine points in the loss.

Randolph (3-0) will get some rest for Thanksgiving break.  The WildCats will not play until after the holiday, and it will be their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) game as well.  The 'Cats will host Eastern Mennonite University on November 29 at 2 p.m.