HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Sophomore Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) scored a career-high 22 points, adding a game-high 12 rebounds, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a hard-fought 74-69 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball decision at home to Virginia Wesleyan University on Thursday night in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House. Fifth-year Jake Hahn (Ruckersville) scored 11 points for the host Tigers, who trailed 34-30 at halftime, and dropped to 9-4 overall, 4-2 in the ODAC. Jordan Crump scored a game-high 29 points for the visiting Marlins, who closed the game on a 17-11 run over the final 4:11, while improving to 8-7 overall, 4-2 in the ODAC.
H-SC jumped out to an early 8-3 lead at 16:55 behind four quick points from sophomore Alex Elliott (Marietta, GA), and the Tigers had their largest advantage of the opening half at 16-8 with 13:17 on the clock following a free throw by Hahn. It was 18-11 at 12:17 after a defensive rebound and a length of the floor driving layup from junior Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA). VWU used a 9-2 run to tie the contest at 20-20 with 9:29 left in the half, and the Marlins extended their half-closing run to 23-12 to lead 34-30 at the intermission.
VWU scored the first five points of the second half—all by Crump—to take its largest lead of the night at 39-30 with 19:19 left to play. H-SC closed to within 39-37 at 17:08 after four quick points by Hubbard and a three-point field goal in transition by sophomore Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC). A three-pointer at 14:56 pushed the Marlins advantage to 44-37, and a jumper from Crump made it 48-41 with 12:59 on the clock. The Tigers, however, battled back with a 9-2 run to tie it at 50-50 following a pair of free throws by Brazil at 10:26—Hubbard starting the run with a three-pointer before Elliott, Hahn and Brazil followed with points. An offensive rebound and basket inside by Hubbard gave the Garnet & Grey their final lead at 58-57 with 4:25 remaining, but the visitors got back-to-back three-pointers from Corey Pelham to take a 63-58 advantage at 3:28, while outscoring the hosts 17-11 over the final 4:11—the Tigers getting no closer than three points (65-62, 1:53) toward the final margin.
Hubbard led H-SC with his career-high 22 points, adding his game-high 12 rebounds in 24 minutes. Hahn added 11 points off the bench for the Tigers. Clements and Elliott each contributed eight points, while Brazil added seven points and four assists. H-SC shot 47% (26-55) from the field, including 29% (4-14) on three-pointers, and 87% (13-15) at the free throw line.
Crump led VWU with his game-high 29 points, including 5-7 three-pointers. Tim Fisher added 12 points for the Marlins, while Pelham and Omari Deveaux each had 11 points. VWU shot 41% (24-58) from the field, including 41% (12-29) on three-pointers, and 74% (14-19) at the line.
H-SC will play again on Saturday afternoon, January 22, at 2 p.m. on the road at ODAC member Roanoke College in Salem.