Posted: Feb 04, 2009
ASHLAND, Va. --- Roanoke dropped an 85-80 decision to Randolph-Macon on the road Wednesday evening in ODAC action. The loss dropped the Maroons to 16-5, 8-4 in the ODAC while the Yellow Jackets improved to 15-5 and 10-2 in the conference.
R-MC, who won its 17th of 18 meetings, is now 68-74 all-time in the series. They shot 45.8% from the field and out-rebounded Roanoke, 42-33. With the loss, the Maroons are now in a four-way tie for third-place in the latest ODAC Standings.
Roanoke bounced back from a 13-point second half deficit to cut it to one on multiple occasions late in the second half, led by 57.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Drew Gaeng led the Maroons with six treys for 18 points, both career-highs.
After falling behind, 5-0 early in the first half, Roanoke went ahead off a 13-3 run to go up, 13-8 just four minutes into the contest.
The Maroons maintained the lead over the next nine minutes as Drew Gaeng connected on four three-pointers during that span. His trey from Melvin Felix with 7:20 remaining gave his squad a 25-24 lead.
From there Randolph-Macon jumped in front, 26-25 after two Jordan Brown free-throws and started a 10-2 run to put them ahead, 34-27 with five minutes remaining.
Logan Singleton's three-pointer capped a quick 7-2 run to cut the lead to within two before the Yellow Jackets ended the half scoring 11 of the last 13 points to give them a 47-36 halftime advantage.
A Brandon Braxton layup gave the Yellow Jackets a game-high 13-point lead, 49-36 just a minute into the second half. They kept the Maroons at bay over the next 14 minutes until they roared back to cut it to one off a Corey Poindexter three to make it, 69-68 with 4:44 left.
Roanoke came within one four more times down the stretch thanks to Curtis Peery's seven points over a three-minute span. He fouled out with 1:35 left as Danny Jones hit both free-throws gave R-MC a three-point lead, 79-76. The Yellow Jackets hit 8-of-10 from the line within the final two minutes to seal the win in the only regular season meeting between the two storied programs.
Parrish Walker had 14 points, 6-of-6 from the line and six rebounds while Peery tossed in 13 for Roanoke. Singleton finished with 10 points and two blocked shots.
Brown led R-MC with 16 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Boris Valera had 12 points and 10 rebounds to help lead the Yellow Jackets.
The men will have a week off before traveling to Farmville, Va. To take on Hampden-Sydney in ODAC action Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Maroons are 90-73 all-time against the Tigers including three of the last five games. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
You can access top stories, scores, updated stats and more. Make sure to sign up for e-scores for the latest Roanoke athletic updates sent right to you phone or e-mail. You can sign-up on the school's athletic home page on the left by simply click on the e-scores icon. Be sure to view all home games live on our live feed via internet brought to you by ustream.tv. Click on live feeds on the main athletics page and then click on the link for those who are outside the area. To keep up to date with Maroon athletics from your mobile phone or PDA, please visit m.roanoke.edu/sports.
