FERRUM, Va. – Sophomore Ryan Clements/Conyers, GA scored 15 points off the bench, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 70-63 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball decision on the road at Ferrum College on Tuesday night in Ferrum. Freshman DJ Wright/Greensboro, GA added 13 points in his first collegiate start for the visiting Tigers (0-4, 0-3 ODAC), who trailed 45-30 at halftime before battling back in the second half behind a 17-0 run. Kajuan Madden-McAfee scored a game-high 23 points for the host Panthers (3-3, 2-2 ODAC).

"We are not playing Tiger basketball right now and that's on me," said second-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "We will keep working to get the kinks out. This team has a lot more to offer"

H-SC started the contest well and took an early 10-7 advantage at 15:37 after a jumper by freshman Josiah Hardy/Ashburn, also making his first collegiate start, and the Tigers led 12-11 following a jumper off the bench from freshman Nathan Kania/Danville at 13:56. FC, however, used a 19-5 run to lead 30-17 with 6:31 left in the half—aided by four three-point field goals. H-SC fought back to within 30-23 at 4:02 after a layup by Clements, but the Panthers closed the half on a 15-7 run, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer, to lead 45-30 at the intermission.

FC took its largest lead of the contest early in the second half at 53-33 with 16:21 remaining, courtesy of another three-pointer. H-SC, however, began battling back and put together a 17-0 run to close to within 53-50 at 6:54 after two free throws by Hardy. Five different Tigers contributed to the effort with Hardy scoring five points, senior captain Jake Hahn/Ruckersville scoring four points, sophomore Chase Turner/Virginia Beach and Wright each with three-pointers, and Clements with a steal and slam dunk that started the comeback. The Panthers, however, responded with seven unanswered points to lead 60-50 with 4:34 left to play. The visitors were able to close to within 62-59 with 1:21 on the clock after another three-pointer from Wright, but could get no closer.

Clements led H-SC with his season-high 15 points, including 5-5 free throws, adding two assists. Wright finished with his 13 points for the Tigers, including 3-9 three-pointers, adding a game-high three steals. Hardy and Turner each contributed nine points, with Hardy adding a career-high seven rebounds, and Turner adding a game-high three steals, as well. Hahn and junior Jack Wyatt/Richmond had eight points and seven points, respectively, with five rebounds apiece. H-SC shot 36% (22-61) from the field, including 21% (5-25) on three-pointers, and 88% (14-16) at the free throw line.

Madden-McAfee led FC with his game-high 23 points, including 5-10 three-pointers, adding a game-high nine rebounds. Nick Helton added nine points, including 3-9 three-pointers, for the Panthers. FC shot 43% (22-51) from the field, including 41% (12-29) on three-pointers, and 70% (14-20) at the line.

H-SC is scheduled to play its fifth consecutive game on the road at ODAC member Emory & Henry College on Friday evening, February 5, at 5 p.m. in Emory.