BOX SCORE

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Sophomore guard Travis Stickney (Mount Pleasant, SC) scored 18 points, and senior forward Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) added 15 points, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 76-66 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) men's basketball decision at home to (RV)Virginia Wesleyan University on Wednesday night on the new Tony Shaver Court in Diaz Arena at the renovated Kirby Field House. The host Tigers led 34-28 at halftime, before the visiting Marlins outscored them 48-32 in the second half toward their road victory. H-SC dropped to 11-7 overall, 5-4 in the ODAC, while VWU improved to 12-5 overall, 7-1 in the ODAC. The Marlins were led by TJ East with a game-high 22 points, including 11-12 free throws, while Demeir Pollard added 20 points off the bench, including 7-8 free throws.

"We showed flashes tonight, but we are still working to be consistent for 40 minutes," said seventh-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "I thought we were exposed in several areas tonight, which is what this league will do … we just have to learn from it and make sure to correct our mistakes moving forward."

H-SC jumped out to an early 9-2 just 3:32 into the contest as Stickney, Fernald and sophomore guard Santana Lynch (Dallas, TX) each scored baskets along with a three-point field goal by sophomore guard Peter Moye (Charlotte, NC). VWU, receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 and currently atop the ODAC Standings, responded with 10 unanswered points to lead 12-9 at 12:52 behind five quick points from Amari Moorer, including a three-pointer, as well as a three-pointer by Pollard. Moye answered with his second three-pointer to tie it at 12-12, but a pair of free throws by East and another three-pointer from Pollard had the Marlins ahead 17-12. The Tigers, however, responded with a 10-0 run of their own to lead 22-17 at 7:56, but the visitors used a quick 11-2 run to lead 28-24 with 2:22 on the first-half clock. A three-pointer by senior guard Colin Radcliffe (Richlands, NC) jump-started a 10-0 run to close the half, with Stickney adding a three-pointer and a jumper, before Radcliffe added two free throws when fouled at the buzzer, as the Garnet & Grey led 34-28 at halftime.

H-SC continued its momentum to begin the second half, getting two free throws from Lynch and a basket from Fernald, to take its largest lead of the contest at 38-28 with 19:02 remaining. The Tigers led 42-35 following a jumper by sophomore guard Tugg Bizzelle (Baltimore, MD) at 16:35, but VWU took the lead for good at 44-42 after a three-pointer by East with 12:08 left. The Marlins extended their advantage to 56-48 following a layup by East at 7:21, but the Garnet & Grey made another push and were within 56-53 following a steal and one-handed slam dunk by Stickney with 6:42 on the clock. That was as close as it would get, though, as the visitors outscored the hosts 20-13 over the final 6:16 for the final margin … making 16-20 free throws down the stretch.

Stickney led H-SC with his 18 points, adding five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Fernald finished with his 15 points for the Tigers, adding six rebounds and one steal. Moye contributed 10 points, while Lynch had eight points and seven rebounds. H-SC shot 43% (24-56) from the field, including 35% (6-17) on three-pointers, and 75% (12-16) at the free throw line.

East led VWU with his game-high 22 points, including 11-12 free throws. Pollard finished with his 20 points for the Marlins, including 7-8 free throws and 3-4 three-pointers, along with six rebounds and a game-high three steals. Moorer had a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, adding four assists and two steals, while Omari DeVeaux added 13 points. VWU shot 47% (23-49) from the field, including 39% (7-18) on three-pointers, and 77% (23-30) at the line.

H-SC remains at home to play the second of four-straight among six of its last eight regular season games in the friendly confines ... as ODAC opponent Eastern Mennonite University is scheduled to visit on Saturday afternoon, January 31, at 2 p.m. in Diaz Arena.