For immediate release – 12/13/2015 - #140
Bullins' Free Throw Gives WildCats 57-56 Win

LYNCHBURG, VA – Abigail Bullins hit a single free throw with no time on the clock to give Randolph College a 57-56 win over William Peace University on Sunday. 

Bullins got the opportunity in the nonconference match up after racing down the floor following a defensive rebound by Korin Harris.  With the clock almost off, Bullins took a 12-foot shot, but was fouled.  After a technical foul was assessed to the bench, Bullins stepped up and made her second attempt to seal the victory.

Both defensives started off the game very strong, as only eight total points were scored in the first 4:17.  Hope Randolph hit two shots as the game was tied at that point.  The teams then went back and forth as Taylor Samuels and Darian Thornton scored for the 'Cats, while Brittany Boykin hit two layups to tie the game at eight apiece.

Then with 1:32 remaining the WildCats went on a run to end the period.  Jacqueline Hockmanscored three points, Hope Randolph made another layup, before Rebecca Harvey hit a free throw to put the 'Cats up 14-8 going into the second.

After a sluggish start by both teams in the second period, Bullins drilled a three off a pass by Hockman at 8:26 to push the advantage to nine.  However, the Pacers went on a spurt and scored eight straight, with Alexis Armstrong hitting a jump shot to pull William Peace within one.

Harvey followed it with a layup 19 seconds later, but it was answered soon after by Cassidy Clark.  However, just as in the first, Randolph finished the period very strong.  Hockman and Samuels each sunk two from the line, while Harvey converted an old-fashioned three-point play, giving the 'Cats a 26-18 lead at the half.

Hope Randolph extended the advantage eight seconds into the third on a jumper, before the teams began to trade baskets.  Hope Randolph then hit another jumper later to put the WildCats up 12, but WPU scored the next six.  Lakeia Jones made a free throw with 5:18 left in the period to cut the deficit to six.

Harris responded with a basket and the teams once again exchanged points.  Bullins pushed Randolph ahead by eight with a converted and-one, but each team would score on both sides soon after.  With the WildCats up 42-35, Bullins made one from the line and followed it with a three to put the score at 46-35 with 1:17 left.  Pacer Hannah Ericksen hit a jump shot, but Hockman hit an acrobatic shot with no time on the clock to keep the lead at 11 entering the fourth.

The early parts of the fourth belonged to William Peace, as the Pacers started the period on a 15-0 run to take the lead for the second time of the day.  However, the WildCats battled back, and tied it after a Hockman layup.  Armstrong responded with a jumper, but Harris tied the score at 54 all after a pair of free throws.

Hope Randolph then hit a layup with 55 seconds left to retake the advantage, but Jones followed on the other end to set up Bullins heroics.

Bullins led all scorers with 16 points.  Hope Randolph added 13 and almost notched a double-double with nine rebounds.  Hockman finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds.  Boykin and Jones each tied for a team-high of 12 points in the loss for the Pacers (4-4 overall).

Randolph (1-8) will take part in finals this week before heading to its final pre-holiday game.  The WildCats will play next Sunday at 3 p.m. at Frostburg State University (1-7).