LYNCHBURG, Va. – Senior captain Jake Hahn/Ruckersville posted his first double-double of the season with 18 points and 13  rebounds, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped an 84-69 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball decision on the road at the University of Lynchburg on Wednesday night in Lynchburg. Junior Jack Wyatt/Richmond and sophomore Ryan Clements/Conyers, GA each added 13 points for the visiting Tigers (0-2, 0-2 ODAC), who trailed just 34-32 at halftime. Tharon Suggs scored a game-high 21 points for the host Hornets (3-0, 2-0 ODAC), who outscored their visitors 50-37 in the second half.

"Ran out of gas tonight," said second-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "I thought our guys battled and we definitely improved in some areas. We will keep working on our conditioning and learn a lot from this one."

Lynchburg took an early 6-0 lead at 18:38 after Suggs made a three-point field goal and followed with a conventional three-point play. H-SC responded with five-straight points to make it 6-5 at 17:30, getting a basket from sophomore Chase Turner/Virginia Beach and a three-pointer from Clements. It was a 10-10 game at 14:01 following a three-pointer off the bench by freshman DJ Wright/Greensboro, GA, and the Tigers took their only lead at 17-16 with 10:31 on the first-half clock after two free throws from Wyatt. The Hornets used a 16-10 run to lead 32-27 at 1:43, but the visitors fought back to tie it at 32-32 just 25-seconds later as Clements completed an old-fashioned three-point play of his own and then followed with a steal and slam dunk. The hosts, however, scored on a dunk of their own and led 34-32 at the intermission.

H-SC was still within 42-39 early in the second half at 17:13 after another three-pointer by Wright, but Lynchburg scored eight unanswered points to lead 50-39 with 14:32 remaining. The Hornets extended their run to 23-9 for their largest lead of the contest at 65-48 with 9:43 on the clock. The Tigers battled back with a quick 8-2 run to close to within 67-57 after a layup from Turner at 6:23, and back-to-back baskets inside by Hahn had the visitors within 74-63 with 3:49 left to play. Lynchburg, however, outscored the Garnet & Grey 10-6 the rest of the way for the home win.  

Hahn led H-SC with his team-highs of 18 points and 13 rebounds, also a game-high, adding three assists. Wyatt and Clements each finished with 13 points for the Tigers, with Wyatt adding nine rebounds and Clements adding game-highs of five assists and four steals. Turner contributed eight points, while Wright and freshman Josiah Hardy/Ashburn each had six points. H-SC shot 39% (26-66) from the field, including 33% (6-18) on three-pointers, and 73% (11-15) at the free throw line.

Suggs led Lynchburg with his game-high 21 points. T.C. Thacker finished with a double-double of 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Hornets. Lynchburg shot 40% (26-65) from the field, including 39% (10-26) on three-pointers, and 82% (22-27) at the line.

H-SC returns home to play ODAC member Randolph College on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. This is a change to the schedule after recently adding a game on Saturday against Virginia Wesleyan University that is now canceled—the Marlins' program forced to pause activities in accordance with the ODAC's Health and Safety Protocols.