BRIDGEWATER, Va. - The Bridgewater College men's basketball team kept the contest tight in the first half but ultimately could not hang on, falling to No. 1 Randolph-Macon at home on Thursday night.

The Basics

• Final Score: Bridgewater 50, No. 1 Randolph-Macon 81
• Records: Bridgewater (8-12, 4-8 ODAC), No. 1 Randolph-Macon (21-1, 13-0 ODAC)

How It Happened

• Bridgewater took an early 8-2 edge after strong offensive and defensive rebounding along with a cluctch steal that led to a fast break layup by Shod Smith. Jalen Curtis scored back-to-back layups to help maintain the early lead at 16-10
• The Yellow Jackets were able to slowly tie the contest at 18-18, which led to the teams playing point for point to end the half. After an Alec Topper layup to make it 26-26, Randolph-Macon used two three pointers to pull away and enter halftime up 34-28. The Eagles shot 45.8% from the field in the first half compared to the Yellow Jackets 39.4% and also won the rebounding battle with 16 boards compared to the visitors 14
• R-MC struck first in the second half before Liam Caswell brought the game to within five at 35-30 on a layup after a strong offensive rebound. Following a Yellow Jackets bucket, Aaron Oates cut the lead to four points on a three pointer to make it 37-33 Yellow Jackets two minutes into the second half
• A series of baskets from behind the arc separated the teams with fifteen minutes to play. Bridgewater brought it back to within eight following a Topper jumper. The Eagles struggled to find a defensive answer for the Yellow Jackets for the remainder of the half, ulitmately falling 81-50

Match Notes

• Oates paced BC with 12 points to go with four boards and a steal
• Curtis posted a career high nine points and four rebounds followed by Topper with eight points and seven rebounds 
• Caswell and Smith each grabbed six rebounds while Smith added four assists 
• Both teams collected 36 rebounds while Bridgewater outshot Randolph-Macon from the charity stripe 72.2% to 62.5%

Up Next

• The Eagles will travel to Guilford on Saturday, February 12 for their second meeting this season with Quakers. Action is set for 2:00 p.m.