SALEM, Va. --- Randolph-Macon College made a triumphant return to the Salem Civic Center as the top-seeded Yellow Jackets hoisted their third straight ODAC men's basketball trophy via a 74-59 victory over third-seeded Virginia Wesleyan University on Sunday afternoon.
Randolph-Macon (27-1 overall, 16-0 ODAC), ranked #1 in the country by D3hoops.com and #1 in Region VI by the NCAA entering the conference bracket, earn the ODAC's automatic entry into the Division III 64-team bracket. Virginia Wesleyan (18-10, 12-4 ODAC) were ranked eighth in the region prior to this weekend's action. The Marlins, along with regionally fourth-ranked Guilford College and fifth-ranked Roanoke College, will have to wait and see if their showings in Salem are enough to earn at-large bids to the tournament. The bracket will be announced on Monday on www.ncaa.com.
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Randolph-Macon guard Buzz Anthony, the only four-time Kurt Axe Player of the Year in ODAC men's basketball history, tied for game-high honors with 18 points to go with five rebounds, six assists, and three steals on the way to tournament MOP honors. Anthony entered the weekend having scored 178 points in the ODAC Tournament in his career. With 58 more this weekend, he is now the all-time leader at 236 markers, taking over the top spot from former Virginia Wesleyan standout Brandon Adair (221). Anthony was already the tournament leader in assists with 58. That record now stands at 79 following three games in Salem.
Daniel Mbangue (15), Miles Mallory (12), and Josh Talbert (12) joined Anthony in double figures. Mallory added 12 rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals to add to his All-Tournament Team resumé. Talbert added five boards and five assists to his line as he joined Anthony and Mallory on the All-Tournament Team. Mbangue, who was 6-of-8 from the field, chipped in four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
Tim Fisher capped his strong tournament with a team-best and game-high matching 18 points on the way to All-Tournament Team laurels along with teammate Corey Pelham. Fisher added three boards, a steal, and two blocked shots to his totals, while Pelham added three boards and two assists. Eric Rowland added 12 points and four assists to go with a rebound and a steal.
ODAC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
- Buzz Anthony, R-MC (MOP)
- Miles Mallory, R-MC
- Josh Talbert, R-MC
- Tim Fisher, VWU
- Corey Pelham, VWU