ROANOKE, Va. – Senior captain Jake Hahn/Ruckersville scored a game-high 20 points, adding nine rebounds, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 66-55 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball decision on the road at Roanoke College on Saturday afternoon in Salem. It was the season-opening game for the visiting Tigers (0-1, 0-1 ODAC), who trailed 33-25 at halftime and were playing their first game in 330 days. Kasey Draper had 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the host Maroons (1-1, 1-0 ODAC).
"We are really thankful that we got a chance to compete today," said second-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "Not the result we wanted, but I thought we did some good things that we can learn and grow from."
RC scored the first 10 points of the contest, aided by a pair of three-point field goals, and led 10-0 at 15:09. Freshman DJ Wright/Greensboro, GA came off the bench and made a three-pointer on his first collegiate attempt for the first points by H-SC at 14:27. The Tigers were within 15-9 at 7:44 after an offensive rebound and layup from freshman Josiah Hardy/Ashburn—his first collegiate attempt, as well, off the bench. The Maroons used an 11-3 run to take their largest lead of the half at 26-12 with 5:30 on the clock. Freshman Adam Brazil/Mooresville, NC connected on a three-pointer at 2:19 to cap a quick 11-3 run by the visitors and it was a 29-23 deficit, though the hosts led 33-25 at the intermission.
H-SC was within 37-30 with 16:42 remaining after another three-pointer by Brazil, but RC took advantage of a 10-2 run to lead 47-32 at 12:02. The Tigers responded with seven unanswered points from Hahn on a pair of layups and a three-pointer to close the margin to 47-39 with 9:49 remaining. The Maroons, however, answered back with a 14-6 run to take their largest lead of the contest at 61-45 and only 2:37 left to play. A pair of late three-pointers during the final minute by Wright and Hahn, respectively, helped provide for the final margin.
Hahn led H-SC with his game-high 20 points (2-5 3FGs), adding a team-high nine rebounds. Wright finished with 13 points (3-8 3FGs) for the Tigers. Brazil added six points (2-3 3FGs) and five rebounds—starting in his collegiate debut. H-SC shot 33% (22-67) from the field, including 32% (7-22) on three-pointers, and 80% (4-5) at the free throw line.
Draper led RC with his team-high 16 points, adding a game-high 10 rebounds. Efosa Edosomwan and Trent Dawson each finished with 14 points for the Maroons. R-MC shot 37% (19-51) from the field, including 36% (9-25) on three-pointers, and 73% (19-26) at the line—the difference in the game.
H-SC will play again on the road in ODAC action at the University of Lynchburg on Wednesday, January 27, at 7 p.m. in Lynchburg.