GREENSBORO, NC (February 3, 2010)—Behind a raucous Tiger fan base that made the trip to Greensboro, Hampden-Sydney came so close to doing what no team has done in 14 previous games and beat #1 Guilford College. The Tigers, however, fell just short taking a 76-74 loss to snap a five game win streak. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 11-10 overall and 6-6 in ODAC play.

Things looked great for Hampden-Sydney right out of the gates with sophomore Ben Jessee (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) hitting back-to-back trifectas to take a 6-0 lead just 56 seconds into the game. The top team in the nation, however, outscored the Tigers 8-2 in the next four and a half minutes to tie the game at eight.

Jessee hit another three to put his team back up, but Guilford's Rhett Bonner responded with a three of his own to tie it up again. Senior Turner King (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) and Josh Pittman got in the action trading threes of their own to keep the game even at 14-14.

Neither team could pull away with four more ties, the last being 25-25 at the 6:07 mark.

After Brad Monroe put the Quakers up 27-25, Jessee hit yet another three to give the Tigers' a 28-27 lead. Guilford then scored the next five points to take a 32-28 lead before a King triple made it a one point game.

The Quakers were able to close the half with five points to the Tigers' two to take a 37-33 advantage into the locker room.

Guilford built upon its momentum to roar out to a 6-0 run taking the first double digit lead of the night at 43-33. Harrison George (Raleigh, NC/Leesville) and King cut into the lead but Rhett Bonner pushed it back to 45-37 with two free throws.

Hampden-Sydney cut the lead to as little as five at the 13:04 mark, but an 8-2 Guilford run gave the Quakers' their largest lead of the night at 55-44. After eight straight points from Hampden-Sydney, however, it was just a three point game with 9:41 remaining.

Tyler Sanborn and Colin O'Neill (Fort Leavenworth, KS/Fort Leavenworth) traded baskets before King hit a huge three to tie the game again, this time at 57.

Two Martin Stephenson free throws put the Quakers up two again, but King continued to fight hitting another jumper to tie the game.

30 seconds later, though, Clay Henson hit his only field goal of the contest with a game-changing 30-foot three pointer to put his squad up 62-59 with 6:25 to play.

After several swapped buckets, Guilford increased its lead by one with a 69-65 advantage with 2:51 to play.

King continued to raise his game when his team needed it, scoring the Tigers' next seven points and getting his team within two at 74-72 with 30 seconds to play.

A Rhett Bonner turnover led to a George dunk on the other end to tie the game at 74 with just 19 seconds on the clock. On the ensuing possession, though, Bonner made up for his turnover by muscling his way to the basket for a lay up to go up 76-74 with just five ticks remaining.

Hampden-Sydney got the ball to King, but Sanborn's 6-10 frame got in the way, tipping the shot and the hopes of an epic upset.

King led all scorers with 26 points, including a 20 points second half on 7-11 shooting. Jessee scored 12 points while George and O'Neill each netted 10. On the night the Tigers were 27-59 (45.8%) from the floor and 10-25 (40%) from deep. They also connected on 10-11 foul shots (90.9%) while dishing out 16 assists to 10 turnovers.

Sanborn led his squad with 22 points and a game-high 16 rebounds while Bonner had 17 points and freshman Josh Pittman scored 14 points. The Quakers were 24-60 (40%) from the floor and 9-21 (42.9%) from beyond the arc. They also hit 19 of their 24 free throw attempts (79.2%). They also outrebounded Hampden-Sydney 42-29 including 16 offensive rebounds.

Hampden-Sydney returns to action this Saturday, February 6 as it travels to face Emory & Henry College. Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm.