SALEM, Va. -- Two buzzer beating shots by Randolph College helped carry the Wildcats to a monumental victory in the men's young basketball program history, a stunning 80-76 upset of No. 1 seeded Virginia Wesleyan College in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament semifinals on Saturday.

Colton Hunt (Buford, Ga./Smoky Mountain) beat the buzzer to give the 'Cats a 38-33 lead at halftime, but the crucial buzzer-beater was knocked through by Caleb Pearson (Franklin, Va./Southampton) to beat a shot clock violation with 58 seconds remaining in the game at the Salem Civic Center. 

Chris Astorga (Suffolk, Va./Virginia Beach Cape Henry) hit a jumper to pull VWC within a 70-67 score and the Marlins appeared to have the Wildcats on the ropes as the possession clock ticked away.  But, Timmy Clarke (Frederick, Md./Richard Montgomery) passed the ball long to the left side to Pearson who launched the shot that drilled through the net as the horn sounded.

The upset-minded Wildcats (18-9) extended their lead to eight points with 42 seconds on the clock, but could not put away the Marlins comfortably.  Rookie DJ Woodmore (Virginia Beach/Landstown) and Astorga combined to hit three consecutive triples that pulled VWC with a 79-76 score with seven seconds on the clock

VWC (23-4) was forced to foul to try to get the ball back and got a break when Hunt missed the front end of a two-shot foul.  He hit the second one however, to give the 'Cats their final four-point spread.

Virginia Wesleyan led throughout most of the first half, but not by much.  The Marlins' largest lead was 19-14 following a pair of free throws by junior Donald Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va./Dumfries Potomac) with 7:29 remaining in the first half.  But, Randolph came back behind Derrick Woods-Morrow (Greensboro, N.C./Northeast Guilford) and Hunt to push into a 35-33 lead with 53 seconds on the clock.  As time expired Hunt put up a long three-pointer from beyond the key and beat the horn, giving the 'Cats a 38-33 lead.

The second half did not start any better for VWC as the bounces favored the Wildcats who pushed out to a 44-37 lead on a couple of three-pointers from Pete Hamilton (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) and Hunt.  A lack of  rebounding hurt VWC, which found itself trailing 46-39 with 15:52 to play. 

Coach Dave Macedo called a time out at that point to regroup and the Marlins returned with some fire, led by a Vaughn dunk and Chris Teasley (Newport News, Va./Menchville) triple that helped pull VWC within a 48-44 score with 11:59 to play.

Momentum stayed with the Marlins for a while long as Tre' Ford (Falls Church, Va./J.E.B.Stuart) stole the ball and nailed a triple to cut the 'Cats' lead to 48-47.  Seconds later Ford nailed another trip to tie the game at 50-all.  He drew a foul on the play, hit the free throw and the Marlins were in front 51-50 with 8:50 on the clock.

The Marlins proceeded to build their lead to three points twice in the next minute, but Hamilton nailed a triple that knotted the score at 55-all with 7:44 on the clock.  After a series of missed shots by both teams, Clarke hit two key free throws for Randolph and VWC never led again.  The Marlins tied the score twice in the next few minutes, but the Wildcats continued to hit key baskets to keep VWC at bay. 

Astorga led VWC scoring with 21 points, hitting 5-of-10 triples in his totals.  Woodmore, who hit 3-of-4 triples, added 16 points, Vaughn finished with 12 and Teasley tallied 10.  VWC helped its cause by hitting 11-of-26 triples.

Randolph connected on nine triples, but hit 60% on its attempts, led by Hamilton who nailed 5-of-6 and scored 21 points.  Hunt led the 'Cats with 25 points, helped by a 6-of-7 showing from the free throw lines.  Pearson ended with 13 points.

Virginia Wesleyan waits now until Monday, Feb. 28, to learn about its participation in the upcoming NCAA tournament.  Brackets will be announced at 1 p.m.

--AMDG--