Ashland, Va. – #23 Stockton University (9-2) had its six-game winning streak ended by a 79-37 defeat to #3 Randolph-Macon (9-1) in the championship game of the Suyes Yellow Jacket Classic. The Ospreys faced a difficult task in playing tournament host Randolph-Macon.
In addition to being ranked third in the nation right now and the defending NCAA national champion, the Yellow Jackets have been a juggernaut with an incredible 82-4 record over the last four years.
Kadian Dawkins (Eastampton/Rancocas Valley) scored 17 points, nearly half of Stockton's total, as the lone Osprey in double figures. Freshman
Tayvon Gaither (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) grabbed a team-high six rebounds while
Jonathan Azoroh (Ewing/Ewing) totaled five points, five rebounds and two blocks.
Stockton crept out to an early 6-4 edge behind four early points by Dawkins, but Randolph-Macon soon took over. The Yellow Jackets outscored the Ospreys 26-5 over the next 11 minutes for a 30-11 lead. A three-point play by Gaither ignited a 7-0 run that made it 30-18 before Randolph-Macon scored the last four points of the half for a 34-18 count.
Dawkins led Stockton with seven first-half points. The Ospreys struggled to score, shooting just 23.3 percent (7-30), including 0-7 from three-point range. They also had difficulty dealing with Randolph-Macon's size advantage as the home team blocked seven shots and scored 18 of their 34 points in the paint.
Randolph-Macon continued to assert itself in the second half as the Yellow Jackets shot a torrid 61.2 percent (19-31) from the floor and outscored Stockton 45-19 for the 79-37 final score that ended Stockton's six-game winning streak. The Ospreys hit just 24.5 percent (13-53) from the field including only 1-17 (5.9%) from three-point range in the game.
By contrast, Randolph-Macon connected at 54.2 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent (10-24) outside the arc. Josh Talbert scored a game-high 19 points followed by Will Coble with 14 markers.
The Ospreys will take a break for the holidays and return to action with an NJAC game at The College of New Jersey on January 4 at 7 p.m.
