SALEM, VA (February 17, 2008)�The Hampden-Sydney basketball team shot 50.0 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from behind-the-arc en route to a 76-61 victory over Roanoke College at the Bast Center on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers were led by sophomore guardTurner King (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) as he finished with 19 points and five rebounds. Hampden-Sydney held the Maroons to just 37.7 percent shooting from the field while also forcing 12 turnovers and blocking four shots. With the win, the Tigers improved to 12-10 on the season and 6-9 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, while the Maroons dropped to 15-7 overall and 9-6 in the league.
In the first half, Hampden-Sydney quickly jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on a pair of jump shots by Turner King and a three-pointer by Drew Prehmus (Atlanta, GA/Wesleyan School). The Tigers extended their lead to 17 points, 28-11, with 8:42 left in the first half, but Roanoke answered with an 11-0 run to cut the lead to six points, 28-22, with 6:59 until halftime. After falling behind by nine points, Roanoke cut the Tiger lead to one point on two occasions, but Hampden-Sydney answered each time, controlling the lead for the entire first half. Leading the Maroons 35-34, Hampden-Sydney closed the first half on a 10-0 run to take a 45-34 lead into the half.
Hampden-Sydney continued to build their lead early in the second period, starting the second half on another 10-0 run to take a 55-37 lead with 15:08 left to play. Trailing 59-41, Roanoke refused to go away as the Maroons went on an 8-0 run to cut the Tiger advantage to ten points, 59-49, with 9:45 remaining. Once again, the Tigers answered the call, going on a 10-2 run to take a 69-51lead with just 4:02 left to play. Despite intense, full-court defense by Roanoke, the Tigers were able to take care of the ball late and sink several foul shots down the stretch to claim the 76-61 victory.
The Tigers forced 12 turnovers and recorded five steals and four blocks with defensive pressure that held the Maroons offense at bay, allowing the Tigers to hold the lead the entire game. Offensively for the Tigers, Hampden-Sydney enjoyed balanced production as ten players scored on the day. Sophomore Turner King led Hampden-Sydney with 19 points, while freshman guard Paul Matthews (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Salem) finished with 12 points. Senior forward Troy Kaase (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring) finished with ten points and a game-high nine rebounds. Roanoke was led by Melvin Felix as he scored 15 points, while Curtis Peery chipped in with 11 points and four boards.
For the game, the Tigers shot 50.0 percent (25-of-50) from the field, 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from three-point range, and shot 85.7 percent (18-of-21) from the charity stripe. Roanoke was held to 37.7 percent from the field, 27.7 percent from three point range, and 68.2 percent from the foul line. The Tigers held a decisive advantage on the boards, 38-25, including 12 offensive rebounds.
Hampden-Sydney will return to action on Monday, February 18, as the Tigers will welcome ODAC-foe Washington and Lee University to S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium for Senior Night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm. Fans can also catch all the exciting hardwood action on WFLO 95.7 FM or www.hsc.edu.
