HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- All-American fifth-year guard and third-year team captain Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) scored a game-high 19 points to lead nationally-ranked No. 8 Hampden-Sydney College to an 88-64 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball home win past Averett University on Wednesday night in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House. Brazil was 8-10 from the floor, including 3-5 on three-point field goals, while junior forward and team captain Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, and junior transfer guard and team captain Colin Radcliffe (Richlands, NC) added 10 points off the bench. The Tigers led 54-23 at halftime, and played their bench for 15-plus minutes of the second half toward their fifth consecutive win. H-SC improved to 16-3 overall, 9-1 in the ODAC, while AU dropped to 8-11 overall, 3-7 in the ODAC—led by Jamison Graves with 16 points.

"Proud of the guys for protecting home court tonight," said sixth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "We really shared the ball and executed the defensive plan well. This group has been working hard to get into rhythm and tonight was a huge step in the right direction."

H-SC, ranked No. 8 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25, started fast and never looked back against AU … taking an early 17-7 advantage at 14:39 aided by three consecutive three-pointers, including two-straight by senior guard Ayman McGowan (Memphis, TN) off the bench, and one from Brazil who added a jumper, as well. The Tigers extended their lead to 25-9 at 11:28 after back-to-back three-pointers by Radcliffe. The Garnet & Grey pushed the margin to 36-13 with 5:44 left in the half after a jumper by Radcliffe, and after the Cougars were within 38-21 at 3:51, the home team closed on a 16-2 run over the final 3:39 to lead 54-23 at halftime. Brazil and Fernald combined for the 16 points with eight points each, including a pair of three-pointers by Brazil. H-SC shot a blistering 74% (23-31) from the field during the first half, including 62% (8-13) on three-pointers.

H-SC also began the second half strong, leading 64-28 at 15:38 with points from Brazil (4), Fernald (2), senior guard Nick Shryock (Davidson, NC) (2) and sophomore center Alex Cannon (Loganville, GA) (2) off the bench. Coach Kimbrough was able to play all 16 Tigers dressed for the contest over the final 15-plus minutes, as Brazil and Fernald each only played four-plus minutes after the break. The Garnet & Grey took their largest lead of the night at 73-32 with 11:30 remaining courtesy of a three-pointer by freshman guard Peter Moye (Charlotte, NC) off the bench. The home team maintained a comfortable 30-plus point margin for a majority of the final 20 minutes, including 85-53 at 3:32 after a layup from sophomore guard William Britt (Richmond) off the bench. AU closed on an 11-3 run over the final 2:35 to reduce the final margin.

Brazil led H-SC with his game-high 19 points, including 8-10 field goals (3-5 3FGs), adding two assists and one steal in 19 minutes. Fernald added his 14 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers, including 7-8 field goals, along with five assists and one steal in 17 minutes. Radcliffe had his 10 points off the bench, including 2-6 three-pointers, in 16 minutes. Freshman forward John Campbell (High Point, NC) finished with nine points, and Moye contributed eight points, while Cannon finished with a game-high and career-high nine rebounds, and freshman guard Tugg Bizzelle (Baltimore, MD) dished out a game-high and career-high nine assists along with a game-high two steals. H-SC shot a season-high 64% (35-65) from the field, including 50% (11-22) on three-pointers, and 47% (7-15) at the free throw line. The Tigers enjoyed a 46-26 advantage in points scored in the paint, and a 37-23 advantage in bench points.

Graves led AU with his 16 points. Jackson Sellars added 13 points and five rebounds for the Cougars. AU shot 39% (21-54) from the field, including 29% (5-17) on three-pointers, and 77% (17-22) at the line.

H-SC plays on the road at ODAC member Eastern Mennonite University on Saturday afternoon, February 1, at 2 p.m. in Harrisonburg.