HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Freshman Ryan Clements/Conyers, Ga. equaled his career-high with a game-high 19 points to lead Hampden-Sydney College to a 68-58 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball road win at Eastern Mennonite University on Saturday afternoon in Harrisonburg. Senior captain Kevin Quinn/Apex, N.C. added 14 points and sophomore Jack Wyatt/Richmond had 13 points for the visiting Tigers (11-7, 6-3 ODAC), who trailed 30-28 at halftime before rallying for their 10th win in the last 12 games. H-SC has now surpassed its win-total from the last two seasons combined (10). DJ Hill and Josh Whelan each had double-doubles of 12 points and 11 rebounds for the host Royals (3-15, 1-8 ODAC).
"Hard-fought road win today," said first-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "I thought we shot the ball well, and really defended down the stretch, which helped us get it done. EMU really took it to us with its athleticism and quickness. I'm proud of the guys for finding a way."
H-SC took an early 5-3 lead at 17:10 following a three-point field goal by Quinn, and a steal and slam dunk by Clements. EMU answered with a 10-2 run to go ahead 13-7 at 12:49, but the Tigers battled back with a 10-3 run to lead 17-16 at 7:53 after a basket inside from Wyatt, who scored seven of the points. The Royals, however, used a 9-2 run to go back in front 25-19 with 3:35 left in the half. The visitors, though, were able to outscore the hosts 9-5 to the first-half buzzer—getting five points from Quinn—to trail just 30-28 at the intermission.
H-SC was within 32-31 at 19:18 of the second half after a three-pointer by Wyatt, and trailed just 38-37 at 16:01 following a three-pointer from senior Chaise Johnson/Richmond. Johnson's triple was the first of five consecutive three-pointers made by the Tigers that propelled them into a 49-45 lead with 13:11 remaining. Clements added back-to-back three-pointers, while junior captain Jake Hahn/Ruckersville and Quinn also connected from beyond the arc—Hahn's three-ball putting the visitors ahead for good (46-43, 13:52). H-SC closed a 20-7 run with a jumper from Wyatt that provided for the largest lead of the contest at 57-47 with 7:46 on the clock. The Royals had one final push and closed to within 62-58 at 2:32, but the Tigers secured their road triumph with the final six points. Hahn scored on an offensive rebound basket at 1:48, and Clements made 4-4 free throws over the final 1:10.
Clements led H-SC with his game-high 19 points that equaled his career-high, adding three assists and two steals. Quinn finished with his 14 points, including 4-8 three-pointers for the Tigers. Wyatt had 13 points, while Hahn contributed nine points and eight rebounds, and Johnson added seven points, a career-high seven rebounds and three assists. H-SC shot 42% (25-60) from the field, including 44% (10-23) on three-pointers while making a season-high 10, and 80% (8-10) at the free throw line. The Tigers had a season-low six turnovers in the contest and enjoyed a 17-0 advantage in points off turnovers, a 14-10 advantage in second chance points and an 11-3 advantage in bench points.
Hill and Whelan led EMU with their respective double-doubles of 12 points and 11 rebounds, the latter game-highs, as well. Michael Williams also finished with 12 points for the Royals, while Tim Jones had 10 points. EMU shot 42% (24-57) from the field, including 25% (6-24) on three-pointers, and 57% (4-7) at the line.
H-SC returns home to welcome ODAC opponent Ferrum College on Wednesday night, January 29, at 7 p.m. in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. It's the Chuck-A-Duck for United Way game in support of the United Way of Prince Edward County, and will feature a special halftime contest.
