The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped a 49-47 decision to Randolph-Macon College on Sunday afternoon to fall to 5-4 on the season. Johnny Cronin led the Eagles with a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling in 13 boards, including seven on the offensive glass. Eric Shaw added 12 points.
In the first half, Randolph-Macon jumped to a 6-2 lead in the first three minutes. The Eagles answered with three pointers from John Lutkenhaus and Austin Hall, along with a layup from Cronin to take a 10-6 lead with 13:19 left in the half.
The Eagles continued to expand on their lead, pushing it to 10, at 18-8, with 6:54 left in the first. Randolph-Macon then went on a 14-10 run to end the half, narrowing the deficit to 28-22 at the break.
Both teams began the second half exchanging baskets, until Randolph-Macon took the lead at 31-30 with 15:00 left in the game. Brent Mahoney answered just seconds later with a lay up to take back the lead, while Jamal Newton and Shaw followed with a three pointer and pair of free throws, respectively, to lead 37-31.
Randolph-Macon answered with their own run, scoring six straight go back up one with 8:48 left. Over the next eight minutes, the teams exchanged baskets for a total of four lead changes, until Newton drilled a three pointer to tie the game at 47-47 with 37 seconds left in the game. Randolph-Macon hit a jumper with 11 seconds left to take a 49-47 lead. The Eagles had a chance with a second left but were unable to convert.
Cronin's double-double is the first of his career, and his 13 boards are a career-high. Newton was a spark plug off the bench, scoring nine points, making 3-4 three pointers, and adding four assists and three steals.
Mary Washington shot 30.2% from the field (16-53), making 6-25 three pointers and 9-12 free throws. Randolph-Macon shot 37.5% from the field (21-56), making 3-14 three pointers and 4-5 free throws. The Eagles won the battle on the boards, 39-37.
The Eagles will return to action on Friday, December 30th, when they visit Virginia Wesleyan College at 6:00 pm.