ASHLAND, Va. -- Junior DJ Wright (Greensboro, GA) scored a game-high 17 points off the bench, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 61-59 non-conference basketball decision on the road at nationally-ranked No. 1 Randolph-Macon College on Saturday evening in Ashland. Junior Josiah Hardy (Ashburn) added 10 points and seven rebounds for the visiting Tigers (2-2), who fell behind 14-0 at the start and trailed 32-24 at halftime. Miles Mallory had 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the host Yellow Jackets (3-1).

"It took us a very long time to get settled-in to the game tonight," said fourth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "We struggled to get the ball moving and were hesitant on the defensive end early. With that said, very proud of the guys for how we fought back. We gave ourselves a chance at the end, even when we didn't play our best. We will learn from this one for sure."

R-MC, the defending NCAA Division III National Champion and ranked No. 1 in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25, scored the first 14 points of the contest, leading 14-0 at 15:22 following consecutive three-point field goals, before H-SC was able to score its first points on a basket inside by Hardy at 13:45. The Yellow Jackets increased their advantage to 28-12 with 5:45 remaining in the first half, but the Tigers were able to close the half strong, outscoring their hosts 12-4 over the final 5:22 to close to within 32-24 at the intermission. Wright scored five points during the late surge, including a three-pointer, while junior Alex Elliott (Marietta, GA) added a three-pointer, as well.

R-MC pushed its lead to 37-26 early in the second half at 18:30, but H-SC began closing the gap with 10 unanswered points to close to within 37-36 with 14:09 remaining—Wright with back-to-back three-pointers following baskets by junior Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) and Hardy. The Yellow Jackets responded with a 12-6 run to lead 49-42 at 9:44, and the hosts maintained their advantage and led 55-46 with 4:31 left to play. The Tigers made a final run and closed to within 57-55 after another three-pointer by Wright with 43-seconds on the clock, but that was as close as it would get toward the final margin.

Wright led H-SC with his game-high 17 points off the bench, including 5-7 three-pointers. Hardy finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for the Tigers. Senior Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) contributed eight points and five rebounds, while freshman Ryan Blakey (Accokeek, MD) had seven points and three rebounds off the bench. H-SC shot 44% (22-50) from the field, including 37% (7-190) on three-pointers, and 62% (8-13) at the free throw line.

Mallory led R-MC with his 13 points, adding eight rebounds and four blocks. Jabril Robinson had 12 points for the Yellow Jackets and Daniel Mbangue added 10 points. R-MC shot 40% (22-55) from the field, including 36% (10-28) on three-pointers, and 88% (7-8) at the line.

H-SC remains on the road for another non-conference game at the University of Mary Washington on Tuesday night, November 22, at 8 p.m. in Fredericksburg.