LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Hampden-Sydney defeated Wartburg 69-55 in the first day of the D3hoops.com Classic at South Point Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

The Tigers led by just three, 17-14, with 10:54 to go in the first half, but three consecutive triples from Greg Lewis (Mechanicsville, VA / Hanover), Mike Murray (Norfolk, VA / Norfolk Christian) and Leon Hargrove (Raleigh, NC / Middle Creek) put the Tigers ahead by 12, 26-14, at 8:21. The Tigers closed out the half strong by holding Wartburg to just five points the rest of  the way as H-SC went into halftime leading 39-19.

The outstanding defensive and crisp ball movement continued throughout the early second half, and Hampden-Sydney double downed on Wartburg 44-22 two minutes into the stanza. The Tigers would go on to lead by as many as 25, 57-32 with 7:59 remaining.

From there Wartburg made a furious rally, going on a 20-1 run to trail just 58-52 with 3:38 left. Following a Wartburg timeout, the Tigers woke back up, using a Mitch Owens (Williamsburg, VA / Walsingham) jumper and three points from Murray to go back in front by 11. Wartburg could not trim the lead to fewer than nine the remainder of the game as Hampden-Sydney sealed the game at the free throw line.

Murray was the star of the game, scoring a career high 27 points along with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. He shot 8-12 from the field, 3-3 from three, and 8-22 from the foul line. Hargrove scored 10 points while adding on five steals and four boards.

Jordan Cannon led Wartburg with 16 points while Dan Van Groningen chipped in with 11. Clay Cook posted eight points and 12 rebounds.

H-SC limited Wartburg to a 30.2% shooting performance overall and a 23.3% mark from three-point range. Both teams struggled with ball security as Wartburg gave up the ball 20 times compared to 17 turnovers for Hampden-Sydney.

Hampden-Sydney returns to South Point Arena on Monday with an 11 pm game vs. Husson in the D3hoops.com Classic.