Lynchburg, Va. – The University of Lynchburg women's basketball team fell to crosstown rival Randolph, 62-59, in a fourth-quarter thriller at the Michels Athletic Center on Wednesday evening.

Sophomore guard Kate Littlejohn led the Hornets in scoring with 15, while senior guard Olivia Harris and freshman guard Audra Petty also scored double figures for Lynchburg. Randolph graduate Kylie Stark tallied 19 points and seven rebounds, including eight points in the final quarter.

The Hornets kicked off the ball game with a pair of 3-pointers, courtesy of Petty and Littlejohn. Lynchburg extended its lead to 15-6 in the first quarter before conceding a 19-3 run with 5:19 left in the second quarter and buzzer-beating three from Randolph's Stark to end the first period. The Hornets failed to score for over seven minutes during that span.

Both teams led by nine at one point during the first half, though Randolph muscled its comfortable lead into the second half with a 31-22 advantage.

In the third, both squads shot 50% or above from the field, but Lynchburg failed to cut into the deficit.

The Hornets started hot in the fourth, knocking home four 3-pointers to knot the score at 52 with seven minutes to play. Junior forward Kayla Sledge used her post presence to give Lynchburg its first lead since the first quarter.

Tied up at 56, the Wildcats' Stark sunk a three with 52 seconds remaining. The Cats extended their lead with free throws, but Harris cut the lead to two with another deep three. As Randolph inbounded with seconds remaining on the clock, Lynchburg forced a turnover but failed to convert on the offensive side. Randolph secured the victory with a final score of 62-59.

Wednesday's evening's result marks the first time Randolph has earned consecutive wins vs Lynchburg since the 1997-1998 season. The Hornets fall to 6-8 and possess a 1-4 record since returning from winter break. 

Lynchburg returns to Turner Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 25 for the team's alumni day game against Bridgewater at 2:00 p.m. 

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--LYN--