BOX SCORE

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Juniors Josiah Hardy (Ashburn) and DJ Wright (Greensboro, GA) each scored 13 points, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped an 82-77 season-opening and non-conference basketball decision on the road at Greensboro (NC) College on Tuesday night in North Carolina. Hardy added a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double, as well, and junior Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the visiting Tigers (0-1), who led 32-28 at halftime. Isaiah Pruitt scored a game-high 26 points for the host Pride (1-0), who outscored their visitors 54-45 in the second half.

"Great job by Greensboro tonight," said fourth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "They pressured us, were more physical, and controlled the rebounding all night. We will look at the film and figure out how to clean it up before this weekend."

H-SC fell behind 6-2 early as GC connected on a pair of three-point field goals to begin the game, but the Tigers rallied back with a 9-4 run to take its first lead at 11-10 with 13:34 on the first-half clock. Sophomore Ayman McGowan (Memphis, TN) scored seven of the points with a pair of three-pointers—one resulting in a rare four-point play when he was fouled and made the ensuing free throw—while Hubbard had the go-ahead basket via an offensive rebound and layup. The visitors led 23-20 after an offensive rebound and follow-up dunk by Hubbard at 6:30, and two free throws by senior Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) made it a 25-21 advantage at 3:33. The Pride was able to go back in front at 26-25 with 3:00 on the clock, before H-SC closed the half with a 7-2 run, including 3-4 free throws by sophomore Rashaun Tomlin (Warner Robins, GA), to lead 32-28 at the intermission.

GC scored the first six points of the second half to take a 34-32 lead, before junior Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) stopped the run with a layup at 17:20, tying the contest at 34-34. Five quick points from Hardy, along with a three-pointer by junior Alex Elliott (Marietta, GA), had H-SC back ahead 42-37 with 14:22 left to play. The Tigers still led 56-55 with 9:56 on the clock following a layup by Wright, who scored nine second-half points, but the Pride answered with five quick points to lead 61-56 at 9:06, and the hosts would maintain the advantage the rest of the way … the visitors getting within three at 68-65 with 5:24 left after a layup by Hardy, who also scored nine second-half points, but could get no closer.

Hardy and Wright (off the bench) led H-SC with 13 points each, with Hardy adding a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double. Hubbard also finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Tigers. Clements contributed 12 points and a game-high three steals, while Brazil had 11 points and two assists. H-SC shot 42% (28-66) from the field, including 25% (5-20) on three-pointers, and 62% (16-26) at the free throw line.

Pruitt led GC with his game-high 26 points. Tim Boulware had 19 points for the Pride and Kevon Wright added 13 points. GC shot 45% (25-56) from the field, including 46% (12-26) on three-pointers, and 69% (20-29) at the line.

H-SC will remain on the road to participate in the William Marshall Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Tigers will play Alvernia (PA) University on Friday, Nov. 11, at 6:30 p.m. and either host Franklin & Marshall or Cairn (PA) University on Saturday, Nov. 12—time to be determined.