GREENSBORO, N.C.- Behind a strong shooting performance, the Randolph men's basketball defeated Greensboro by the score 89-79 on Tuesday night. The win improves the WildCats' record to 3-1 while the Pride fall to 1-2.
The Pride scored the game's first basket of the game on a three-point basket to take the lead but Randolph scored on its first four possessions to go ahead 8-3. Greensboro countered with a three and layup to knot the contest at 8-all.
Randolph took the lead back as Greensboro closed to three points twice with the second occurrence coming at 15:16. An 8-0 run by the WildCats staked them to a 24-13 advantage. The Pride ripped off a 6-0 run to close to 24-19 with less than 13 minutes remaining. The 'Cats used an 18-3 run to blow the game open and lead 42-26 with 6:21 remaining in the half. Greensboro closed the gap but Randolph was able to maintain its double-digit lead at halftime.
The WildCats added to their lead in the second half and had their biggest advantage, 55-37, at 17:31. The Pride were able to chip away and used a 13-2 spurt to cut the lead down to seven points, 60-53.
Randolph once again got back ahead by double figures with the lead growing to 19 points, 85-66, with 5:20 remaining to play. Buoyed by another strong run, this one 9-0, the Pride got the score to 87-78 to once again climb their way back with 1:10 left. The deficit proved to be too much as Randolph was able to hold off the rally and win the game.
Randolph shot a season best 55.2% (32-of-58) from the field. The rebounding edge also went to the WildCats 46-25. While the Pride committed just seven turnovers, the 'Cats turned them into 18 points. Second chance points were 28-8 in Randolph's favor and the WildCats controlled the paint with a 42-24 advantage. Randolph also received big contributions from its bench as it contributed 33 points to just 10 for the Pride.
Justin Dula (Taylorsville, N.C./Alexander Central) scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out three assists. Sammy Hooper (Richmond, Va./Midlothian) added 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Brian Smith (Dumfries, Va./C.D. Hylton) chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, and three steals. Jerry Goodman (Suffolk, Va./Portsmouth Christian School) led all bench players with 10 points while Drew Hayden (Vinton, Va./William Byrd) and AJ Marshall (Lake Mary, Fla./Lake Mary Prep) both contributed eight points each.
Randolph returns to the RAD Center on Sunday as it hosts Bridgewater in an ODAC contest. Game time will be at 3:00 p.m.