HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – Sophomore Alex Elliott (Marietta, GA) scored a career-high 24 points off the bench, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a heartbreaking 85-84 non-conference basketball decision at home to nationally-ranked No. 23 Maryville (TN) College on Sunday afternoon during the H-SC Classic at S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. Junior Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) added 18 points for the host Tigers, who dropped to 7-2 this season. Myles Rasnick, who finished with 15 points, made the game-winning basket on a baseline jumper with 3.7-seconds remaining for the visiting Scots, who improved to 9-1 this season.

"Heart breaker today," said third-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "We are so appreciative of everyone coming out to support. The environment was amazing considering the students are on break. We have some things to clean up, but I'm proud of the way we fought back in the last 10 minutes. This is a special team that isn't even close to performing at our full capacity."

H-SC and MC were playing each other for the first time since an NCAA Tournament game on March 4, 2000, ironically won by just one point by the Scots (76-75). The Tigers scored the opening basket on a layup from sophomore Josiah Hardy (Ashburn), but the visitors quickly took a 14-6 advantage at 14:45, and pushed the margin to 26-13 with 10:58 on the first-half clock. H-SC used a quick 12-2 run to close to within 28-25 at 6:20, getting points from six different players, including four by fifth-year Jake Hahn (Ruckersville). MC again extended the lead to double figures and led 35-25 at 4:49, but the Tigers battled back and were able to get within 42-41 at halftime after a 16-7 run sparked by Elliott with six points and four points each from Clements and Hardy.

MC increased the margin to begin the second half and led 52-45 at 12:27, and the Scots pushed the advantage to 10 points at 62-52 with 9:07 remaining. H-SC was within 62-56 after a basket inside from sophomore Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) at 8:21, but the visitors took their largest lead of the contest at 73-59 with 5:05 left to play. It was still a 14-point game at 75-61 with 4:05 remaining, but the Tigers refused to quit and began rallying back … closing to within 79-75 at 1:09 following a three-point field goal by freshman Nick Shryock (Davidson, NC)—capping a 14-4 run that included seven points each from Elliott and Shryock—the latter with a pair of three-pointers. Hardy gave the Garnet and Grey an 84-83 lead with 19-seconds on the clock, but Rasnick connected on his 15-foot baseline jumper at :03.7 for the game-winner. An attempt by the hosts from near midcourt was off the mark at the buzzer.

Elliott led H-SC with his game-high and career-high 24 points, including 8-10 field goals (2-4 3FGs) and 6-8 free throws. Clements added 18 points for the Tigers, while Shryock matched his career-high with 11 points, including 3-5 three-pointers. Hardy had 10 points, including 5-7 field goals, while Hahn contributed eight points and five assists. H-SC shot 45% (29-65) from the field, including 23% (5-22) on three-pointers, and 58% (21-36) at the free throw line.

JR Sanders led MC with 19 points, adding six rebounds and five assists. Rasnick finished with 15 points, including the game-winning field goal, while making 11-12 free throws for the Scots. Chase Ridenour had 13 points, while Jekobe Coleman and Kordell Kah each added 10 points. MC shot 39% (23-59) from the field, including 31% (8-26) on three-pointers, and 78% (31-40) at the line.

H-SC will break for the Christmas Holiday before returning to action on Wednesday evening, December 29, at 5 p.m. in a non-conference road game at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton.