Freshman Drew Johnson made a game-winning three-pointer as time expired to lead the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team over Randolph-Macon College, 68-65, on Sunday afternoon in the Ron Rosner Arena. UMW improves to 7-3 overall.
In the early going, senior Eric Shaw put the Eagles up 5-2 on a three-pointer and layup just 2:10 into the game. Junior Jacob Williams converted a layup to put UMW up 17-10 with 12:19 remaining in the first half. Shaw connected on another three-pointer and the Eagles were up eight, 20-12, with 10:03 left.
Randolph-Macon went on a 14-0 run over the next 2:37 to take the lead 26-20. The Eagles fought right back and tied the game at 26-26 on a three-pointer from A.J. Robinson. From there the Yellow Jackets scored seven straight points and took the lead 33-26. Randolph-Macon took a 39-31 lead into halftime. Shaw led the Eagles with 10 points in the first half.
Over the first 5:06 of the second half UMW chipped away and a free throw from Williams put the Eagles down 43-40. With 13:30 remaining in the second half, UMW took the lead 44-43 on a layup from junior Johnny Cronin. The teams went back and forth with lead changes over the next 2:18, until Johnson made a three-pointer to put UMW up 54-49 with 9:39 remaining.
Randolph Macon responded and regained the lead, 56-55, with 7:11 left in the game. Over the next 3:48, the two teams again traded leads. Cronin made a tough left-handed layup with 2:02 remaining to put UMW up 64-60.
With 12 seconds remaining, UMW held a 65-62 lead, Daniel Noe from Randolph-Macon banked in a three-pointer to tie the game up. The Eagles called a timeout and drew a play up that resulted in Johnson draining the game-winning three-pointer as time expired.
Johnson scored all of his 13 points in the second half. Shaw added 13 himself, while Cronin and Robinson both chipped in 11 points a piece. Johnson and Cronin both pulled in eight rebounds a piece. Daniel Noe led the Yellow Jackets with 21 points.
The Eagles shot 50.0% (24-48) from the field, making 10-24 three pointers, and 10-15 free throws. The Yellow Jackets shot 42.9% (24-56) from the field, making 6-18 three pointers, and 11-17 free throws. UMW out-rebounded RMC 31-29 and dished out 17 assists as a team.
UMW will be back in action on Saturday, 12/30, as they host Virginia Wesleyan at 2 p.m.