HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Freshman Ryan Clements/Conyers, Ga. scored a career-high 26 points, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped an 88-82 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball decision to visiting Bridgewater College on Saturday afternoon at S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. Sophomore Jack Wyatt/Richmond added 25 points for the host Tigers (13-12, 8-8), who led 41-38 at halftime. Davrion Grier scored a game-high 28 points for the Eagles (9-16, 5-11) in the regular season finale for both teams.
"Really thought we were going to come out with a better defensive effort today," said first-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "Unfortunately, we were not able to get a win for our two seniors today. Fortunately, we get a chance to play again on Tuesday. We will be ready."
It was a closely-played game throughout the 40 minutes with 13 lead changes and 11 ties on the afternoon. A three-point field goal by senior captain Kevin Quinn/Apex, N.C. tied it for the third time early at 11-11 with 15:12 on the first-half clock. BC used a 13-7 run to take its largest lead of the opening half at 24-18 with 9:29 remaining, but a quick 10-2 run by H-SC had the hosts ahead 28-26 at 6:42—with Clements scoring six points and Wyatt scoring four points. The Eagles led 31-28 at 5:26 before the Tigers closed the half by outscoring their visitors 13-7 to lead 41-38 at the intermission. Clements (13) and Wyatt (11) combined for 24 first-half points.
BC opened the second half with a quick 16-7 run to lead 54-48 at 15:24, getting eight points from Grier, including a pair of three-pointers. H-SC responded with 10 unanswered points to lead 58-54 at 12:31, getting four points each from Clements and Wyatt before an offensive rebound basket by freshman Miles Harris/Virginia Beach. The Eagles again made a run, time at 15-4, to lead 69-62 with 8:20 left to play. The Tigers answered once-again, as well, this time with a quick 13-5 run to lead 75-74 at 5:35, getting four points each from Wyatt and junior captain Jake Hahn/Ruckersville, as well as the go-ahead three-pointer from Clements. Unfortunately, the visitors closed the contest by outscoring the hosts 14-7 over the final 5:15 to provide for the final margin.
Clements led H-SC with his career-high 26 points, adding 11 rebounds for his second double-double. Wyatt finished with his 25 points, adding nine rebounds for the Tigers. Hahn had eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Quinn and classmate Chaise Johnson/Richmond each contributed seven points and three assists, while Harris equaled his career-high with four points and grabbed a career-high six rebounds. H-SC shot 39% (26-67) from the field, including 25% (5-20) on three-pointers, and 78% (25-32) at the free throw line. The Tigers out-rebounded the Eagles 51-30, enjoying a 19-3 advantage in second chance points.
Grier led BC with his game-high 28 points, including 24 second-half points, adding six rebounds. Liam Caswell finished with 17 points for the Eagles, while Chandler Murray added 13 points and a game-high nine assists. BC shot 49% (32-66) from the field, including 42% (15-36) on three-pointers, and 60% (9-15) at the line.
It was Senior Day for Chaise Johnson and Kevin Quinn who were recognized during a special pre-game ceremony.
Ironically, Hampden-Sydney will host Bridgewater again on Tuesday night, February 25, at 7 p.m. in Fleet Gym during the first round of the 2020 ODAC Men's Basketball Tournament. The Tigers are the #8 seed for the tournament, while the Eagles are the #9 seed. The two teams split during the regular season, as H-SC won at BC 79-67 on January 18. Admission is $8 for adults, while children 18 and under, and college students with proper ID will be admitted free.
