ASHLAND, Va. – Freshman DJ Wright/Greensboro, GA scored a career-high 22 points off the bench with six three-point field goals, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 79-65 non-conference basketball decision on the road at Randolph-Macon College on Saturday night in Ashland. Freshman Josiah Hardy/Ashburn added a career-high 12 points off the bench for the visiting Tigers (0-3), who trailed 43-37 at halftime. Ian Robertson scored a game-high 30 points off the bench with eight three-pointers for the host Yellow Jackets (4-0), who were ranked No. 1 in the Basketball Times Division III Preseason Top 20.

"I love that our guys made no excuses about the sudden opponent change and went out and executed the game plan," said second-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "With that said, rebounds really hurt us tonight and is something we are going to have to commit to if we want to be on the winning side of things moving forward."

In a contest scheduled just 24 hours prior, H-SC started well at R-MC and took an early lead at 7-6 after Wright's first three-pointer at 15:49, and another three-pointer from Wright at 12:51 had the Tigers ahead 14-13. Wright's third three-pointer of the half gave the visitors a 27-25 advantage with 6:30 remaining until the break. A basket inside from senior captain Jake Hahn/Ruckersville at 6:03 had H-SC ahead 29-27. The Yellow Jackets, however, closed the half with a 16-8 run to lead 43-37 at the intermission. Robertson scored the first 14 points of the half-ending outburst, including four three-pointers for the hosts.

H-SC opened the second half quickly, as well, closing to within 47-44 at 15:42 following another three-pointer by Wright—after baskets from freshman Adam Brazil/Mooresville, NC and Hahn, as well. R-MC used a quick 12-5 run to lead 59-49 with 12:23 remaining, before three-pointers from Hahn and Brazil sandwiched around another triple by Robertson had the Tigers within 62-55 at 8:48. Unfortunately, that would be as close as the visitors would get as the Yellow Jackets used a 10-3 run to lead 72-58 with just 4:37 left to play—getting two more three-pointers from Robertson. A conventional three-point play by Hardy made it 76-65 at 1:45, before the hosts added 3-4 free throws during the final minute for the final margin.

Wright led H-SC with his career-high 22 points, including 6-8 three-pointers. Hardy finished with his career-high 12 points for the Tigers, adding a team-high four rebounds. Hahn contributed 10 points, three assists and two steals, while junior Jack Wyatt/Richmond had eight points and Brazil had seven points. H-SC shot 47% (26-55) from the field, including 47% (8-17) on three-pointers, and 71% (5-7) at the free throw line.

Robertson led R-MC with his game-high 30 points, including 8-13 three-pointers. Miles Mallory finished with a double-double of 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets. Daquan Morris added 11 points off the bench, including 3-5 three-pointers, while All-American Buzz Anthony had eight points and a game-high eight assists. R-MC shot 50% (27-54) from the field, including 48% (13-27) on three-pointers, and 86% (12-14) at the line. The Yellow Jackets outrebounded the Tigers 37-21.

H-SC is scheduled to play its fourth consecutive game on the road at ODAC member Ferrum College on Tuesday night, February 2, at 7 p.m. in Ferrum.