The win makes the Marlins 13-3 overall and 8-1 in the ODAC. The Yellow Jackets are also now 13-3 on the season and 8-1 in the conference. Randolph-Macon came into the game ranked #14 in the nation in the latest D3hoops.com poll, which is released every Tuesday. Though not ranked, Virginia Wesleyan has been receiving votes. The Yellow Jackets were coming off a 61-46 conference victory at #11 Hampden-Sydney College this past Wednesday night, while Virginia Wesleyan had picked up a 78-75 double overtime win over visiting Bridgewater College in ODAC action the same evening.
In Saturday’s game, there were seven ties and five lead changes in the first ten minutes. With the score knotted at 16-16, Virginia Wesleyan’s Fantin made two foul shots to give his team a 18-16 advantage. The Marlins would hold onto their lead for the rest of the contest. In the first half, Virginia Wesleyan was up by as many as 10 points, 28-18 with 5:51 left before halftime. The halftime margin was seven points, 35-28.
The Marlins led by as many as 11 points several times at the beginning of the second half. Randolph-Macon was not finished, however. Trailing 50-39 at the 11:16 mark, the Yellow Jackets went on a 15-6 run to make the score 56-54 with 6:45 remaining in the game. But the hosts were unable to catch up to Virginia Wesleyan. The Marlins closed out the game outscoring Randolph-Macon 22-11. Balenga and Fantin each made big three-pointers, and as a team Virginia Wesleyan was 8-for-8 at the foul line in the game’s final minute to seal the victory. Balenga made four free throws in that span, while senior guard Marques Fitch (Virginia Beach, VA/Floyd E. Kellam) and junior guard Thomas Sumpter (Hampton, VA/Bethel) each made two.
Virginia Wesleyan shot the ball extremely well, making 50.9% of field goals overall (27-for-53), including 8-of-14 three-pointers (57.1%). The Marlins were also 16-for-20 at the free throw line (80.0%). Also, the visitors committed just nine turnovers. Randolph-Macon, meanwhile, was 93.8% at the foul line (15-for-16). The Yellow Jackets also outrebounded Virginia Wesleyan, 31-25.
Following the performances by Balenga, Fantin, and Adair, Virginia Wesleyan’s Fitch finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Sumpter added eight points and a game-high five steals.
Leading Randolph-Macon was junior guard Adam Krovic (Durham, NC/Jordan), with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%). Junior forward Phil Hawley (Weirton, WV/Tri-State Christian Academy) scored 14 points, making all six of his free throw attempts, plus seven rebounds. Freshman guard David Carlson (Woodbridge, VA/Flint Hill School) totaled 11 points and a team-high four assists. Senior guard Patrick Gill (Richmond, VA/Benedictine) added nine points, six rebounds and three assists. Senior forward Justin Wansley (Richmond, VA/Henrico) grabbed seven rebounds and scored six points, while sophomore forward Jeremy Dixon (Manheim, PA/Hempfield) also chipped in with six points.