DANVILLE, VA (December 17, 2009)—Despite 16 points and eight rebounds from freshman Harrison George (Raleigh, NC/Leesville), Hampden-Sydney fell 70-55 to USA South-foe Averett University. The Cougars had four players score in double figures, including a double-double from Chad Hardway (13 points, 13 rebounds).

It was a low scoring affair to start, with Hampden-Sydney taking a 6-5 lead five minutes into the game. Averett took the lead going up 8-6 at the 12:27 mark. They extended the margin to 11-6, but an old-fashioned three point play from senior Turner King (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) put the Tigers within two.

The two teams continued the defensive battle with both teams fighting for every basket. Though Hampden-Sydney trailed 20-15, it quickly went on a 10-0 run propelled by George, King and Randall Ward (Richmond, VA/John Marshall) to take a 25-20 advantage.

Kenny Hart and Chad Hardway then strung together seven points to Hampden-Sydney's two, tying the game at 27. The final three minutes of the half had a tie and a lead change with the Cougars taking a slight 32-31 lead at the half.

The second stanza was again a defensive battle, with the two teams combining to score nine points in the first six and a half minutes to tie the game at 36. Averett picked up the pace scoring nine unanswered before Alex Potapov (Moscow, Russia/Florida Air) knocked in a few throw to put the deficit to 45-37.

The lead was extended to 10 at the 6:37 mark, and the two teams traded baskets keeping the margin consistent for the next four minutes. A Brandon Malone three pointer, however, put the lead to 61-46 with a minute and a half to play.

Despite Hampden-Sydney scoring eight points in the final minute and a half, the Cougars converted on the free throw line, connecting on the final seven foul shots to seal the game.

Hampden-Sydney was 42.9% from the field via 18-42 shooting. Averett was just shy of 40% percent going 23-for-58 from the floor. The Tigers had nine assists to 28 turnovers while the Cougers had 14 helpers to 19 turnovers. Both teams pulled down 33 rebounds.

George led all scorers with 16 points while pulling down a team-high eight caroms. King was the only other Tiger to post double figures with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Jonathan Mudd (Miami, FL/American) added seven points while Ben Jessee (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) notched six points and a game-high six assists.

Adding to Hardway's double-double for Averett were Malone and Rueben Pierce with 13 points each and Hart with 11 points.

With the loss the Tigers fall to 4-4 on the year. They will return to action after the Holiday break as they host the Car Coop/Weenie Miller Holiday Hoops Tournament on December 29 and 30. Hampden-Sydney plays John Jay in the first game at 5:00 pm while Averett and St. Mary'sSt. Mary's (MD) tip off at 7:00 pm.