The Guilford College men's basketball team battled the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets Saturday evening, ultimately falling 72-66.

Prior to the game, the team honored several seniors: Chance Townsend, Will Leckonby, Joah Logan, Jaylen Gore, Brandon Carter, Liam Ward, and Jason Foulks.

Within the first minute of the first half, Guilford (17-6, 13-3) was able to put up the first two points by Ward, assisted by Logan. Shortly after, the Yellow Jackets (24-1, 16-0) scored a three pointer to gain the lead. Guilford was able to stay behind Randolph-Macon for the first couple minutes in the first half.

A Ward jumper made the deficit four (12-8) at the 15:13 mark. The Yellow Jackets then went on a 14-2 run to lead by 16 (26-10) with 11:22 to go in the first. 

The Quakers tried to cut into the difference but Randolph-Macon maintained the edge and led 47-30 at the half. 

Opening the second half, Randolph-Macon scored the first two points in the half at 17:42, 49-30. Scoring back to back on each other, the visitors remain in the lead by almost 20 points.  

Following a Guilford timeout, Ward came out and put up a clean three assisted by Gore to put the score 59-47 at 9:36.  

The Yellow Jackets maintained a double-digit lead until the Quakers went on a 10-0 run to pull within five (68-63) with 49 seconds remaining in regulation. Out of a timeout, Randolph-Macon made two free throws to make it a three-possession game. Tyler Dearman hit a three with six seconds left in regulation but the visitors made two free throws to seal the six-point victory.

Ward paced the Quakers with 19 points and seven rebounds. Tyler Dearman finished the night second in scoring with 16 points while adding five assists. Julius Burch  also finished the night with 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds (2 off., 6 def.).

The Quakers shot 73.3% (11-15) from the free throw line while the Yellow Jackets shot 64.3% (9-14). The Quakers also out rebounded the Yellow Jackets 32-25.

Guilford now awaits the winner of Shenandoah and Hampden-Sydney in the ODAC Quarterfinals on Thursday, February 24. Start time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.