Randolph-Macon Escapes to Semifinals

Late Run Against W&L Secures Spot in Next Round

February 28, 2008  -  Box Score

SALEM, Va. --- Randolph-Macon College used a 26-3 run over the final six-plus minutes to recover from a double-digit deficit and slide its way into the ODAC Women’s Basketball Tournament semifinals with a 75-65 victory over Washington and Lee University.  The Yellow Jackets, now 22-4 on the season, await the winner of Bridgewater College and Eastern Mennonite University.  Washington and Lee bows out with a 9-17 overall mark.

The Generals shot 50-percent from the field in the first half, making 4-of-6 shots from beyond the arc to go into the intermission with a seven-point advantage.  Amanda Kane paced the Generals in the opening frame, pouring in 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

W&L pushed its lead to 10 points twice within the first four minutes of the second half, but Randolph-Macon responded with a small run to pull within four with 12:44 to play.

Washington and Lee reaffirmed its grasp on the game, pushing to a 14-point advantage with 10:19 to play.  The Generals lead remained in double figures until the 6:03 mark.  Randolph-Macon, having already begun its game-changing run, turned the tables on the Generals in the final 6:49.  The Yellow Jackets outscored W&L 26-3 over that span to forge ahead and move on in the tournament.

Junior Lindsay Riesbeck, who scored eight points down the stretch, finished with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting to go with six rebounds.  Molly Ariail picked up 17 points, six boards and five steals.  Amanda Hiltunen chipped in 14 points and five assists.

Kane was held scoreless in the second half, finishing the game with 17 points and five rebounds.  Bethany Ridenhour added 16 points, eight assists and four steals.  Emily Wolff dropped in 15 points while Kara Nadeau led all players with 10 rebounds.

Randolph-Macon will be play in the second women’s semifinal on Saturday.  That contest is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Salem Civic Center.