BOX SCORE

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Sophomore guard Santana Lynch (Dallas, TX) scored 15 points, and senior guard Colin Radcliffe (Richlands, NC) added 14 points and six rebounds, but 16th-ranked Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 101-73 non-conference men's basketball decision on the road at seventh-ranked Emory University at the Emory Holiday Classic on Tuesday evening in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tigers trailed 52-24 at halftime, but could get no closer than 24 points (81-57, 8:32) during an evenly-played second half (49-49) in the Top 20 contest. H-SC is now 7-4 overall, while the Eagles improved to 9-1 overall, led by Ben Pearce with game-highs of 35 points and 11 assists, and Jair Knight with 29 points. The Garnet & Grey will take a break for the New Year's Holiday before a home contest against defending ODAC Tournament Champion Guilford (NC) College on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 7 p.m. on the new Tony Shaver Court in Diaz Arena at the renovated Kirby Field House.

"Playing great competition certainly helps expose your weaknesses, and we got exposed tonight," said seventh-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "We have a very talented team that is working hard to be more disciplined and focused on a consistent basis. Losing like that is never acceptable, but we will learn a lot from it and it will help us moving into league play."

H-SC took an early 4-2 lead at 17:12 after a basket inside by senior forward Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) and a jumper by sophomore guard Peter Moye (Charlotte, NC). EU responded with 16 unanswered points toward a 28-6 run for a 30-10 advantage with 10:53 on the first-half clock. Pearce had eight points, including two of the team's six three-point field goals during the outburst, while Knight had nine points with one three-pointer. The Tigers scored seven-straight points to get within 30-17 at 8:47 with another basket inside from Fernald, a three-pointer by freshman guard Tyree White (Indian Trail, NC) and a jumper from sophomore guard Asa Williams (Atlanta, GA). The Eagles, however, added a 16-1 run to lead 46-18 with 2:57 left toward a 52-24 halftime advantage behind 21 first-half points by Knight and 13 from Pearce.

EU scored the first nine points of the second half on three consecutive three-pointers, the first two by Pearce, to take its largest lead of the contest at 61-24 with 18:15 remaining. H-SC battled back with a quick 13-3 run to close within 64-37 at 15:13, getting consecutive three-pointers from sophomore guard Travis Stickney (Mount Pleasant, SC) and Moye, five-straight points from Radcliffe, including a three-pointer, and a jumper from sophomore guard Tugg Bizzelle (Baltimore, MD). The Garnet & Grey later took advantage of a 12-3 run to close within 81-57 with 8:32 left as Radcliffe connected on two more three-pointers, while Lynch, Bizzelle and Fernald each added baskets, as well. That was as close as the visitors would get, though, as the two teams each scored 49 points in the second half toward the final margin.

Lynch led H-SC with his 15 points off the bench, adding two assists. Radcliffe posted his 14 points, including four three-pointers for the Tigers, adding six rebounds along with a career-high and game-high three steals. Bizzelle and Fernald each contributed 12 points, with Fernald adding four rebounds and three assists, and Bizzelle adding four rebounds and two assists. H-SC shot 38% (28-74) from the field, including 32% (8-25) on three-pointers, and 60% (9-15) at the free throw line. The Tigers did have a 39-8 advantage in bench points.

Pearce led EU with his game-highs of 35 points and 11 assists, including 5-7 three-pointers and 10-11 free throws. Knight finished with his 29 points for the Eagles, adding a game-high three steals, while Ethan Fauss had a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. EU shot 50% (36-70) from the field, including 32% (12-37) on three-pointers, and 76% (19-25) at the line.

H-SC and EU are ranked No. 16 and No. 7, respectively, in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25.

As mentioned, the Tigers will play again next week at home against Guilford on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. in Diaz Arena.