SALEM – An early run set the tone in Roanoke's 88-67 victory over Randolph College on Saturday afternoon.  The Maroons now have a record of 9-12, 4-8 ODAC, while the WildCats are 11-10, 5-7 in ODAC play.

Roanoke shot over 50 percent from the field for the third time in six games, putting up 53.7 percent of its shots in tonight's win.  This was the Maroons second highest shooting percentage this season, second only to an 88-71 win over Bridgewater on January 24^th.  The Maroons are 5-1 when shooting over 50 percent from the field in the 2014-15 campaign.

For the ninth time this season, Andrew Daniels led the Maroons in scoring, netting 19 points in Saturday's win.  Daniels shot 9-16 from the floor.  Alex Weant put up 12 points on 5-6 shooting, going along with three rebounds and two assists.  Julian Ramirez rounded out the double digit scoring for Roanoke by putting up 10 points to go along with a team high six assists and three steals.  Cameron Smith picked up his sixth game this season with 10 or more rebounds, pulling down 11 boards in Saturday's contest. 

Roanoke was hot out of the gate in Saturday's game against Randolph.  The Maroons jumped out to a 5-0 start off of a jumper from Weant and a three by Cameron Smith.  After four points by the WildCats, Roanoke went on a 12-0 run, with four points each from Daniels and Daniel Eacho, taking a 17-4 lead at the 13:45 mark.  Randolph scored another six points, but as a part of a run where Daniels, Ramirez, Carter Wright and Joey Miller combined for 10 points. 

With 10:30 to play, Roanoke held a 27-10 advantage.  The WildCats started to score at a more frequent pace, but Seth Bradley and Daniels each hit three pointers to keep the advantage at 17 points for the Maroons. 

Randolph scored six unanswered points with four minutes to play in the half, But Miller, Smith and Killian Connelly combined for seven points through the final minute, taking a 20-point, 42-22 lead with 1:25 to play.  Randolph was able to cut the deficit to 15 by the end of the half, as Roanoke led 44-29 after the first 20 minutes.

Roanoke was back at it in the second half, as Weant and Ramirez combined for five points in the first minutes of the game to take a 49-30 lead.  The WildCats built a run in the second half that ran through the 14:00 mark, as they went on a 12-0 run, where Corey Brown scored six points, putting the Maroons ahead only by nine, 51-42. 

Roanoke widened the gap again as Weant hit a jumper and Fitchett drained a three, followed immediately by a free throw. Fitchett and Bradley each drained three pointers over the next couple of minutes as the Maroons built the lead back to 19, 62-47 with 11:21 to play.  Roanoke's lead held for the remainder of the final 10 minutes, as The Maroons answered each of Randolph's shots down the stretch, holding on to their double-digit advantage.  Roanoke's largest lead came after a Daniels layup with 50 seconds left, taking a 21-point 88-67 advantage, which held as the final score in the ODAC contest.

The WildCats were led by Gordon Rogo with 15 points, shooting 6-9 from the field.  He also finished with a team high six rebounds.  Zach Desgain tallied 14 points, including an 8-8 mark from the free throw line.  Desgain led the team with two assists, while pulling down four boards.  Corey Brown went for 12 points with three rebounds and one assist.

Roanoke outshot Randolph 36.4 to 20 percent from behind the arc and 88.9 to 77.3 percent from the free throw line.  Roanoke handily led in rebounds, 41-25, as well as assists 18-5.  Roanoke also benefited from 31 points off the bench to Randolph's 13.

The Maroons return to action on Wednesday, February 11^th as they travel to take on Guilford College.  That game is scheduled for a 7:00 PM start.

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