ASHLAND, Va. – The Shenandoah University women's basketball team dropped its third straight game and the season series to Randolph-Macon on Tuesday evening, falling 59-47 on the road.
The Hornets (15-9, 10-5) were led by Emily Williams, who recorded 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor, 1-of-2 from three-point range, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. She also tallied four rebounds, two steals, and an assist. Gabby Krystofiak and Maddie Kimble each contributed eight points. Krystofiak shot 3-of-7 from the field, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and added two rebounds and two steals. Kimble went 2-of-6 from the field, hitting both of her shots from three-point range while converting her two free-throw attempts. She also recorded two steals.
Jessica Littlejohn and Shawnise Campbell each scored six points, while Addisyn Banks (five points) and Dani Marmo (two points) rounded out the scoring for Shenandoah. As a team, the Hornets shot 15-of-54 from the field, 5-of-26 from three-point range, and 12-of-15 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets shot 21-of-51 from the floor, 4-of-16 from beyond the arc, and 13-of-17 from the charity stripe.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Randolph-Macon opened the game with a three-pointer after securing a defensive rebound, but Kimble responded with a three of her own to tie the game with seven minutes left in the first quarter. After Kimble converted two free throws to give the Hornets their first lead, Randolph-Macon tied it at 5-5. Williams then connected on a layup off an assist from Kimble, giving Shenandoah a 7-5 advantage. However, the Yellow Jackets answered with a 6-0 run to regain an 11-7 lead. Addisyn Banks scored the final basket of the quarter for the Hornets, but Randolph-Macon responded with another bucket to take a 13-9 lead into the second quarter.
The Yellow Jackets started the second quarter on a 4-0 run before Williams got the Hornets on the board. Randolph-Macon then hit back-to-back baskets before Campbell scored off an assist from Krystofiak, ending a two-and-a-half-minute scoring drought for both teams. Littlejohn split a pair of free throws, and Marmo converted both of her attempts, but Randolph-Macon closed the quarter on an 11-3 run, taking a 31-18 lead into halftime.
Shenandoah had its best scoring quarter in the third, shooting 5-of-13 from the field, 3-of-8 from three, and 4-of-5 from the line. However, Randolph-Macon matched the Hornets' offensive output and outscored them by two points in the quarter. Williams opened the second-half scoring with a jumper before Kimble connected from beyond the arc to cut the deficit to 10. The Yellow Jackets responded with an 8-0 run as Shenandoah went scoreless for over four minutes until Williams split a pair of free throws. Littlejohn then made two free throws before Krystofiak answered a Randolph-Macon three with one of her own. Moments later, Krystofiak hit another three to cut the lead to 12. Addisyn Banks converted an and-one opportunity, but the Hornets still trailed 50-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final frame, Randolph-Macon showcased why they remain undefeated in conference play, extending their lead to as many as 18 points. The Hornets fought back with baskets from Campbell and a three-pointer from Williams, but the deficit proved too large as the Yellow Jackets maintained their advantage, sealing the 59-47 victory.
UP NEXT
Shenandoah closes out the regular season at home on Saturday, hosting Eastern Mennonite University for Senior Day. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., followed by the men's home finale against Bridgewater.
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