Box Score VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - The Virginia Wesleyan University men's basketball team defeated the Wildcats of Randolph College 83-68 for their first win of the season and in the new TowneBank Arena. VWU improves to 1-3on the season while RC Falls to 0-1.
INSIDE THE SCORE
The game began with
Lamont Steward sinking a three to put the Marlins on the scoreboard first but the Wildcats were right there too as they quickly tied the score at three with Justin Dula scoring three points on a free throw and jumper. The squads tied once more at five points each before VWU took off on a 13-0 run t lead 18-5 at the 14:43 mark. A free throw by RC's Avery Payne broke up VWU's run but the home Marlins team continued to pull ahead opening up a 23 point lead, 33-10 at the 10:47 mark, following a 15-5 rally by VWU. The Wildcats put four points together to halt the Marlins second rally but were unable to keep the VWU offense from scoring as the Marlins led by 24 at the half, 51-27. VWU held a 29-point lead (50-21) with 2:24 remaining in the half but gave up six points before the buzzer sounded for the break.
Coming back from the intermission, VWU maintained it's 20+ point lead until the 13:28 mark when a three-pointer from RC's Evan Makle closed the gap to 19 points with the score sitting at 63-44. The Marlins reclaimed a 25-point lead following another 15-point rally putting VWU up 78-53 with 7:40 to play. Randolph scored nine straight bring the score within 17 points, 78-61 (4:20), but the Marlins lead was too great and the home team cruised to their first victory of the season and first in the new TowneBank Arena with the score sitting at 83-68 when the final buzzer rang.
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by
Jordan White with 18 points as the junior went six-of-eight from behind the three-point arch.
Tyree Golston was close behind with 17 points making 7 of his 16 shots, while
Lamont Steward and
Tim Fisher both joined the double-digit ranks with 13 ad 12 points respectively.Fisher led the Marlins in rebounding with nine boards as well as assists with six on the afternoon.
RANDOLPH LEADERS
The Wildcats were led by Justin Dula with 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. CJ Loving and Evan Makle both added 10 points apiece and Avery Payne contributed nine rebounds to go with his eight points.
KEY MOMENT
The key moment of the game came early in the first half when the Marlins opened up their first 20-point lead. That early lead helped secure VWU's win.
UP NEXT
The Virginia Wesleyan Marlins will return to action on Thursday, January 28 when they host the Hornets of Shenandoah University in the newly renovated TowneBank Arena in Virginia Beach, VA. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 pm and will be broadcasted for fans to watch.
A note of importance, no fans are permitted to attend any home game this season per a conference wide policy passed by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Presidents Council.
