BRIDGEWATER, VA (January 12, 2008)�The Hampden-Sydney basketball team attempted to earn a come-from-behind victory over Bridgewater but fell short as the Eagles held on for the 73-71 victory at Nininger Hall. The Eagles held a 12-point advantage with just four minutes to play, but the Tigers had an opportunity to tie the game with less than a second remaining. The Tigers were led by senior forward Troy Kaase (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring)who finished with a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. With the loss, Hampden-Sydney drops to 7-3 on the season and 1-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, while Bridgewater improves to 7-2 and 2-1 in the conference.
Hampden-Sydney and Bridgewater opened the game trading baskets as the first seven minutes saw seven lead changes and one tie. Leading 9-8, Bridgewater went on a 16-4 run to build a 25-12 lead. Hampden-Sydney cut the lead to six points after a couple of three-pointers from senior Drew Prehmus (Atlanta, GA/Wesleyan School) and freshman Paul Matthews (Greenburg, PA/Greenburg Salem). Holding onto a three-point lead, Bridgewater closed the first half on a 13-7 run to take a 40-31 lead into halftime.
In the early portion of the second half, the Tigers and Eagles traded baskets, helping Bridgewater maintain its lead. Hampden-Sydney was able to cut the lead to six points, 63-57, with 7:31 remaining, but the Eagles answered with a 6-0 run to take a 69-57 advantage. Trailing 73-65 with just 1:32 remaining, Hampden-Sydney began to make their push. Sophomore Turner King (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to five points and a pair of Drew Prehmus free-throws cut the lead to three points, 73-70. After forcing a shot-clock violation, Hampden-Sydney had eight seconds to try and tie the game. Bridgewater fouled Turner King to allow two foul shots. After making the first foul shot, King purposely missed the second, but Kaase's tip-in was no good, giving the Eagles the 73-71 victory.
Hampden-Sydney was led by Kaase with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Drew Prehmus finished with 19 points. Also scoring in double-figures was Turner King with 14 points, whileCale Phillips (Raleigh, NC/Cardinal Gibbons) came off the bench to score five points for the Tigers. Dominic Trawick led the Eagles with 18 points, while Andrew Cathlin added 13 points. D.J. Billups and Jay Strotman chipped in with ten points apiece.
The Tigers shot 43.3 (26-of-60) percent from the field, including 47.6 (10-of-21) percent from behind-the-arc and 81.8 (9-of-11) percent from the charity stripe. Bridgewater finished the game at 48.3 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from three-point range. The Eagles connected on 72.7 percent of their free throws. The Tigers were able to out-rebound the Eagles, 34-33.
The Tigers return to action on Sunday, January 13, at 3:00 pm as Hampden-Sydney will welcome ODAC-foe Eastern Mennonite to S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. Fans can also catch all the exciting hardwood action on WFLO 95.7 FM or www.hsc.edu.
