For immediate release – 12/2/2015 - #125
Bullins Big Night Not Enough for WildCats

LYNCHBURG, VA – Abigail Bullins scored 26 points, but the Randolph College women's basketball team lost to Averett University 79-73 on Wednesday night.  Bullins hit five three-point field goals in the game, the second year in a row she has done so against Averett.

The WildCats were the first team on the board as Korin Harris scored on a close jumper just 12 seconds into the game.  AU answered right back with two baskets from Samm Chandler, as back and forth action would ensue the rest of the period.  Bullins made her first three of the night at 6:08 to put Randolph up 7-5, but the Cougars responded with six straight.  Rebecca Harvey, Bullins, and Taylor Samuels combined to take back a one-point lead.  However, Chandler knocked down her only two shots from behind the arc to put Averett up five going into the second period.

The offenses were a little sluggish to start the period, as Bullins second shot from long range two minutes in was the first basket.  It was countered by two Cougar baskets to put the lead at six, but Samuels helped cut the deficit.  She made a jumper, and then started a fast break that Bullins finished with a steal. 

After the teams exchanged points once again, the 'Cats went on a run after being down three. Jacqueline Hockman made two free throws, and Hope Randolph knocked down three of four after a technical to give the WildCats a two-point lead.  Despite a traditional three-point play from Hope Randolph with 53 seconds left in the half, the Cougars went into the intermission with a 32-30 advantage after scoring seven in the final 1:21.

Hockman and Harris converted early layups in the third, but Jessica Myers had five in between the baskets to keep the lead for the visitors.  But the 'Cats continued to cut down the lead as Samuels scored five points, bringing Randolph within one.  After trading points once again, the Cougars went on a small run to put the score at 53-45.

Harris and Bullins responded, by making a layup and a three-point field goal respectively, before Joelle Deese knocked down a jump shot.  Bullins hit a floater of her own, but Myers connected from downtown to keep the Cougars advantage at 58-52 entering the final period.

Following three points by Averett to start the fourth, Hope Randolph and Bullins combined for five points to bring Randolph back within four.  But once again it would be answered.  After being down nine, Harris scored six in-a-row and Alexis Calloway made a shot from the charity stripe to bring the WildCats within two.  However, that would be the closest the game would be the rest of the way as AU held on for the victory.

Bullins went 5-9 from three-point range, and added five assists and four rebounds.  Harris and Samuels joined Bullins in double-figures with 12 and 13 respectively.  Calloway and Randolph tied for the team lead in rebounds with eight.  The defense shown especially bright, forcing the Cougars into 26 turnovers, including taking six charges during the game. 

Chandler led Averett (3-2 overall) with 25 points, while Myers added 14 in the victory as well.

Randolph (0-5) finishes its three-game homestand on Saturday with an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) game.  The WildCats will take on Eastern Mennonite University (5-2, 0-1 ODAC) at 2 p.m.