By Rachel Levy, Sports Editor

(Photos by Damon Mackin)

Shenandoah’s men’s basketball team lost a close game to the first-ranked Randolph-Macon College on Wednesday with a final score of 73-80.

This loss puts the Hornets at an 8-14 record overall and 4-9 in conference, landing them the eighth spot for the conference. The Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets lead the conference with a 16-6 overall record and a 12-1 record in conference play.

The Yellow Jackets outscored the Hornets 37-25 in the first half of the game.  Randolph-Macon started the scoring early in the game with two layups before Shenandoah tallied a point.

Over two minutes into the game, sophomore Gabriel Gonzalez made a layup to put the Hornets on the board. Shenandoah’s senior E.J. Baltimore closed out the half with a 3-pointer.

Senior Malcolm Clark led the Hornets in scoring with 10 points in the first half.

The Hornets outscored the Yellow Jackets in the second half, 48-43. Randolph-Macon’s men started the scoring in the second half, but Shenandoah’s Baltimore quickly answered 20 seconds afterwards.

Shenandoah then held a 6-point streak that lasted three minutes before Randolph-Macon College scored again.

Clark once again led the scoring for the Hornets with 21 points in the second half, with a combined 31 for the game. Sophomore Dalon McHugh followed Clark, putting 14 points on the board during the game.

The Hornets will be back in action in a home conference matchup against Hampden-Sydney College on Saturday, Feb. 11.