VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - The No. 18 VWU men's basketball team fell to the No. 3 Yellow Jackets of Randolph-Macon College 67-61 on Wednesday evening in ODAC competition at the Jane P. Batten Student Center in Virginia Beach, Va. The Marlins move to 14-3 overall and 6-2 in ODAC competition, while the Yellow Jackets are now 16-1 overall and 8-0 in the ODAC. 

INSIDE THE SCORE
The game began with R-MC getting on the board first with a layup 44 seconds into the game. VWU countered with five points on a pair of free throws from Corey Pelham and a three from Jordan White to take the lead. The Marlins led 9-6 following a layup from Daniel Spencer but the Yellow Jackets eight unanswered points taking a 14-9 lead as the clock ticked under 13 minutes. Virginia Wesleyan climbed within three points of Randolph-Macon a couple of times but the Yellow Jackets opened up a 13-point lead, 30-17 after their 16-8 run. The Marlins stepped on the gas and went on a 17-9 run through the last six and a half minutes of the first half to trail 39-34 at the break. 

The score tied three times in the opening seven minutes of the second half and the Marlins took their first lead since early in the first at 13:49 when Spencer converted an and-one opportunity putting VWU ahead 44-43. Randolph-Macon took the lead away temporarily but Virginia Wesleyan scored four straight taking a 49-45 lead with 11 to play. R-MC pulled within one point following a three from Buzz Anthony but the Marlins gained some breathing room following a pair of free throws from Pelham. The Yellow Jackets went on a 9-2 run taking a 57-53 with under five to play. The Marlins knotted the score 59 all (2:43) but Randolph-Macon went up by four on a layup and two free throws. Pelham connected on his free throws pulling VWU within two, 63-61 with a minute left in the game. R-MC converted their four free throws in the last minute to win 67-61. 

NO. 18 VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by Daniel Spencer with 19 points. Tim Fisher was the only other Marlin to score in double-digits tallying 15 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Percy Burt joined Fisher with nine rebounds to lead the Marlins rebounding game. 

NO. 3 RANDOLPH-MACON LEADERS
The Yellow Jackets were led by Buzz Anthony with 23 points, five assists, and four steals. Terry Woods contributed 20 points coming off the bench and Miles Anthony recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. 

KEY MOMENT
The key moment of the game came in the final 2:43 went Randolph-Macon on an 8-2 run to close out the game and hold off the hungry Virginia Wesleyan Marlins to win 67-61.

UP NEXT
No. 18 Virginia Wesleyan returns to action on Saturday, January 25, when they travel to Bridgewater, Va. to take on the Eagles of Bridgewater College. Tipoff between the Marlins and Eagles is set for 2 PM.