Posted: Feb 14, 2015
Before Saturday's contest, the Maroons recognized four of the women's basketball players as part of the 2015 Senior Day celebration. Tatum McKee, Meghan Gadell, Hannah Ward and Markia Beckwith were recognized for their dedication, hard work and performance as part of the Roanoke College women's basketball teams. McKee is averaging 7.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG, while Ward is putting up 2.3 PPG and 1.4 RPG. Meghan Gadell averages 7.0 points per game, while Markia Beckwith has 5.8 points per game and two assists per contest.
In Saturday's game, Roanoke was led by Cary Beahm, who finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double in three games and third in the last six. Beahm still ranks second in the conference in points (404) as well as points per game (17.6). Beahm's 404 points currently ranks 17th all-time in single season point totals, and is just 11 points from moving all the way to 14th place, passing Katrina Williams, who scored 414 points in the 2002-03 season. Beahm currently has the fifth highest scoring average for a single-season as well, behind the names of Roanoke greats such as: Paxton Gwin (18.3), Erin Hanson (18.9), Alice Apperson (21.3) and Vicki Zimmerman (21.6).
Also in double-figures was Meghan Gadell, who finished with 14 points and five rebounds. Gadell shot 5-12 from the floor, including two of the team's three three-point baskets. Tatum McKee was second on the team in rebounds with seven, followed by Beckwith with six. Bridget Holleran had a team high five assists in the effort as well.
Randolph jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game. While the Maroons went scoreless for the first three minutes, they did not stay that way for long. Roanoke rallied over the next 12 minutes to produce a 21-2 run, taking a 21-7 lead with 6:02 to play. During that span, Meghan Gadell put up six points, including a three pointer. Beahm also contributed for six points of her own, coming from layups and jump shots. Randolph's Brie Holdren hit a three pointer, to cut into the deficit, but Bridget Holleran answered with two free throws to keep the lead at 13 points, 23-10. Holdren and Abigail Bullins hit back-to-back three pointers to get the WildCats within seven points. Beahm and Gadell combined for five, as Gadell hit a free throw and a jumper to get the Maroons back up by 12 points with 1:40 to play. The WildCats hit one more free throw at the end of the half, as Roanoke entered the locker room with a 28-17 lead at halftime.
Gadell started the half strong for the Maroons with a three-pointer within the first minute of play, taking a commanding 31-17 lead. Beahm kept the WildCats at bay, making jumpers in response to baskets by Allie Druffel and Bullins. With 14:42 to play, Roanoke had a 35-24 lead. Holdren and Bullins hit back to back three pointers again around the 11 minute mark, cutting the Roanoke lead to seven points. Roanoke got the lead back up to 11, as Beckwith drained a trey, while Wiley hit a putback off of an offensive rebound as Roanoke led 52-41 with 7:42 to play.
The WildCats started on a run around the 6:14 mark, as Druffel hit a jumper which spurred a 10-4 run by Randolph. Bullins hit two consecutive layups to cut the Roanoke advantage to three points, 56-53 with 3:31 to play. After two Randolph made free throws, Wiley hit a layup to keep the Roanoke advantage at three points, 58-55 with 2:29 to play. However, the Maroons were held scoreless in the final two minutes, as Bullins hit pair of free throws and Jensen Hoover hit a jumper to take a 59-58 Randolph advantage. Bullins was at the line with three seconds to play and missed her second free throw, where Gadell got the defensive rebound and called time out. The Maroons drew up a play and Hannah Ward fired of a three at the buzzer, but missed, as Randolph picked up the 59-58 win in the Bast Center.
Randolph was led by Brie Holdren, who scored 16 points off the bench, including four three pointers. Abigail Bullins tallied 15 points, with the remaining three of seven three-pointers that the WildCats hit on Saturday. Allie Druffel compiled a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Jensen Hoover also had 11 rebounds to her credit.
The Maroons outshot the WildCats 33.3 to 31.0 percent from the field, while Randolph led at the free throw line 66.7 to 57.9 percent. Randolph also had the rebounding advantage, 51-48, but Roanoke dished out 16 assists to Randolph's nine.
The Maroons finish the remainder of the regular season on the road, starting with a contest against Hollins on Wednesday, February 18th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
We just reached 2,754 fans on Facebook, but we're trying to have the most followers in the ODAC. So, don't forget to become a fan of Maroon Athletics on Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter @rcmaroons. Be sure to check out Roanoke Athletics' YouTube Channel on our athletics home page and watch various highlight clips from our home games. To keep up to date with Maroon athletics from your mobile phone, click HERE to access the mobile app.
CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAME? WATCH IT ONLINE!
Have you seen our brand new Live Game Portal. Click HERE to watch live webcasts of each scheduled home athletic event, along with Live Stats which have now been integrated into the live video feed. Also, share your thoughts on Twitter by posting to @rcmaroons or using the featured hashtag in the live video portal!
