BOX SCORE

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Freshman guard Travis Stickney (Mount Pleasant, SC) scored a career-high 18 points, but nationally-ranked No. 7 Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 74-61 non-conference decision at home to John Carroll (OH) University in the Charlie Cobb Classic on Friday night in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House. All-American fifth-year guard and third-year team captain Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) had 11 points, six rebounds a season-high and game-high four steals and three assists for the Tigers who trailed 32-29 at halftime and dropped to 8-2 overall. David Gentry posted a double-double with game-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds for the visiting Blue Streaks, who used a late 15-0 run to take control, while improving to 5-4 overall.

"Tough one tonight," said sixth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "I liked the way we battled in spurts, but we were not consistent enough over 40 minutes. Thankfully we have a quick turnaround and can learn from this one and try again tomorrow against a really good Eastern team."

H-SC, ranked No. 7 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25, scored the first four points of the contest with a layup from junior forward and team captain Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) and a jumper by Stickney, and the Tigers led 10-5 at 16:09 after consecutive three-point field goals from Fernald and junior transfer guard and team captain Colin Radcliffe (Richlands, NC). The Garnet & Grey led 17-14 with 9:16 left in the half after a layup by Radcliffe, but JCU rallied back with seven unanswered points to lead 21-17 at 7:29. Two free throws from senior guard Ayman McGowan (Memphis, TN) tied it at 25-25 with 4:08 on the clock, but another 7-0 run had the Blue Streaks ahead 32-25 at 2:23 toward a 32-29 lead at halftime.

JCU extended its advantage to 40-31 with 15:59 remaining courtesy of a three-pointer by Luke Frazier, and the lead was 45-36 after a three-pointer from Sean Collins at 12:39. H-SC battled back with a quick 10-2 run to close to within 47-46 with 9:30 on the clock, getting five points each from Stickney and Radcliffe—Stickney completing an old-fashioned three-point play—and Radcliffe connected on another three-pointer. The Tigers were within 50-49 at 7:30 after another three-point play from Stickney, but the Blue Streaks took control with a late 15-0 run to lead 65-49 with just 1:38 left to play—getting points from four different players. The Garnet & Grey did outscore their visitors 12-9 over the final 1:25 to provide for the final margin.

Stickney led H-SC with his career-high 18 points, adding four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Brazil finished with his 11 points, six rebounds, a season-high and game-high four steals and three assists for the Tigers. Radcliffe had 10 points, and McGowan finished with eight points, while senior guard Nick Shryock (Davidson, NC) contributed a career-high 10 rebounds. Fernald had five points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists in 16 minutes, but played less than a minute in the second half. H-SC shot 32% (22-68) from the field, including 18% (6-33) on three-pointers, and 58% (11-19) at the free throw line.

Gentry led JCU with his game-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds for his double-double, adding a game-high four assists, as well. Frazier finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three steals for the Blue Streaks. Will Yontek had 11 points, nine rebounds and a game-high four assists, as well, and Omar Abuhamdeh had 10 points. JCU shot 44% (24-55) from the field, including 36% (9-25) on three-pointers, and 74% (17-23) at the line.

H-SC will play Eastern (PA) University on Saturday, December 21, at 4 p.m. The Tigers will unveil their 2024 National Finalist Banner on Saturday afternoon just prior to the tip-off for the scheduled 4 p.m. game in the finale of the Charlie Cobb Classic.