ATLANTA, Ga. (Jan. 30) -- Senior Todd Ward exploded for 18 second-half points and a decisive 20-2 run late in the game propelled Oglethorpe University past Hendrix College, 89-77, on Sunday afternoon at Dorough Field House.

Ward finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds. He was 11-of-19 from the field and 9-of-13 from the charity stripe. Oglethorpe (12-8, 8-3 SCAC) gave up 34 points in the paint during the first half, however, the Stormy Petrels allowed just eight points and scored 22 down low in the final period. Ten of Ward's second-half points came from inside the paint.

Neither team led by more than seven points in the first half, with Hendrix (6-13, 2-9 SCAC) controlling a 14-7 advantage after 5:45 of action. The lead would change hands four times in the opening half. Hendrix scorched the on 66.7 shooting from the field (20-of-30), while Oglethorpe posted a 48.4 percentage (15-of-31) in the first 20 minutes.

Ward knotted the game at 43-43 with a jumper in the paint on Oglethorpe's last possession of the half and Hendrix first year Colton Primm knocked down a jumper as time expired to put the Warriors on top, 45-43, at halftime.

Both teams traded a pair of leads in the first 7:25 after intermission until Hendrix jumped out to a 66-57 lead with 11:17 to go. Sophomore Jaren Riley and junior Ammon Martin highlighted the 11-0 run with a two 3-pointers. Oglethorpe narrowed its deficit to three points after Ward converted on a 3-point play the hard way, 67-64, with 9:44 to go. Martin stretched it back out to a six-point advantage on the Warrior's next possession when he drained a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired.

Ward was denied by Primm on the Stormy Petrels next trip down the court, but he grabbed his own rebound and ignited the game-changing 20-2 run with a layup. Hendrix went 0-for-6 from the field and 0-for-4 from distance during the stretch. The Warriors were 1-of-12 from the field in the last 9:10.

Junior Andrew Steioff added 16 points and three blocks for Oglethorpe, while sophomore Alec Pitts tallied 15 points and was 3-of-4 from behind the arc.

Martin led Hendrix with a career-high 21 points. Junior Nick Heathscott collected 17 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Primm mixed in a career-best 13 points and eight boards. Riley and junior Chris Goodman score nine points apiece.

The Warriors return to Grove Gymnasium to host Southwestern on Feb. 4 and then Trinity on Feb. 5, both 8 p.m. CT starts.

For more information on Hendrix Athletics please visit www.hendrixwarriors.com or contact Brian Rejer, Sports Information Director, at (501) 450-1426. Also, be sure to follow the Warriors on Twitter by checking out @Warrior_SID.

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