HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Junior captain Jake Hahn/Ruckersville and freshman Ryan Clements/Conyers, Ga. each scored a game-high 22 points to lead No. 8 seed Hampden-Sydney College to a 72-59 home win past No. 9 seed Bridgewater College in the first round of the 2020 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men's Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night at S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. Sophomore Jack Wyatt/Richmond added 11 points for the host Tigers (14-12), who led just 30-27 at halftime before outscoring the Eagles 42-32 in the second half. Liam Caswell scored 17 points for visiting BC (9-17). H-SC advances to play No. 1 seed and nationally-ranked No. 5 Randolph-Macon College in a tournament quarterfinal contest on Friday, February 28, at 1 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center in Salem.
"Such an exciting win tonight," said first-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "Great crowd and great overall environment. It's really special to be able to make it to Salem in this league. I'm very proud of our effort tonight."
Playing BC for the second time in four days, H-SC fell behind early and trailed 12-9 at 12:15. The Tigers began battling back and used an 11-2 run to lead 20-14 at 5:39, getting four points from Wyatt, a jumper from senior Chaise Johnson/Richmond, a three-point field goal from sophomore Cole Atwood/Mount Olive, N.C. and a layup from freshman Miles Harris/Virginia Beach—the latter three playing off the bench. A jumper by Hahn made it 24-19 at 3:06, and a layup by Clements made it 30-25 at 00:55, as the hosts led 30-27 at the intermission.
The second half opened evenly between the two teams and BC was within 40-38 with 13:55 remaining after a three-pointer by Caswell. H-SC, however, took control of the contest with a 16-4 run to take a commanding 56-42 advantage at 8:08. Hahn sparked the outburst with nine points, while senior captain Kevin Quinn/Apex, N.C. added four points. The Tigers continued their momentum, much to the delight of the boisterous home crowed, and took their largest lead at 62-47 with 5:33 left to play on a pair of free throws by Clements. The Eagles did make one final push and closed to within 62-54 at 3:27, but the hosts secured the victory with 10 of the game's final 15 points—Hahn and Wyatt adding four points each over the final 3:03.
Hahn and Clements led H-SC with their respective game-highs of 22 points each, with Hahn tying his career-high with a game-high 15 rebounds for his team-best 10th double-double, while Clements tied his career-high, as well, with 12 rebounds for his third double-double. Wyatt finished with his 11 points, adding six rebounds for the Tigers. Quinn had six points and six rebounds. H-SC shot 45% (29-64) from the field, including 17% (3-18) on three-pointers, and 65% (11-17) at the free throw line. The Tigers out-rebounded the Eagles 51-32, and enjoyed a 50-30 advantage in points scored in the paint.
Caswell led BC with his 17 points. Chandler Murray finished with 13 points for the Eagles. BC shot 34% (21-61) from the field, including 19% (6-31) on three-pointers, and 73% (11-15) at the line.