BOX SCORE

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Senior forward Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) scored 13 points, and sophomore guard Peter Moye (Charlotte, NC) added 11 points, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 69-53 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) men's basketball decision at home to sixth-ranked Randolph-Macon College on Wednesday night on the new Tony Shaver Court in Diaz Arena at the renovated Kirby Field House. The host Tigers had battled back from an early nine-point deficit to lead 22-21 late in the first half, but the visiting Yellow Jackets closed the opening 20 minutes on a 15-2 run to lead 36-24 at halftime, and led by as many as 26 points in the second half toward their road victory. H-SC dropped to 12-8 overall, 6-5 in the ODAC, while RMC improved to 18-2 overall, 10-2 in the ODAC. The Yellow Jackets were led by Delani Hammonds with game-highs of 16 points and five assists.

"What an unbelievable crowd tonight," said seventh-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "Thank you to all the Tiger faithful that were able to make it. I thought our inability to defensive rebound was the difference. If we are able to finish the play on their misses, I think the game is a lot different. We must learn from our mistakes and improve moving into this last stretch."

H-SC was within 8-5 early after a jumper by sophomore guard Travis Stickney (Mount Pleasant, SC) at 15:54, but RMC extended its lead to 17-8 at 12:30. The Tigers responded with an 11-2 run to tie the contest at 19-19 with 7:43 on the first-half clock, getting five points off the bench from senior guard/forward Kolby Wright (Cookeville, TN), including a three-point field goal, while Fernald added four points during the outburst. The Garnet & Grey took their only lead of the night at 22-21 at 4:53 following a basket inside by junior center Alex Cannon (Loganville, GA) and a free throw by freshman guard Tyree White (Indian Trail, NC). The Yellow Jackets, however, outscored their hosts 15-2 over the final 4:25 to lead 36-24 at the intermission. Hammonds sparked the run with a trio of late three-pointers toward 13 first-half points.

RMC continued with its momentum to begin the second half and pushed its advantage to 48-25 at 14:26, getting a couple of baskets from Malcolm Hodges and a three-pointer by Jabril Robinson. The Yellow Jackers maintained the margin and extended their lead to 62-36 after a three-pointer by Keishawn Pulley Jr. with 5:43 left to play. H-SC, though, began battling back and used a quick 15-2 run of its own to close within 64-51 at 2:40 following a driving layup from Moye, and it was 66-53 after a basket in the paint by sophomore guard Tugg Bizzelle (Baltimore, MD) at 1:48. The visitors made 3-4 free throws over the final 1:32 to provide for the final margin.

Fernald led H-SC with his 13 points, adding five rebounds. Moye finished with his 11 points for the Tigers. Bizzelle and Wright each contributed 10 points, a career-high for Wright, who also added a career-high five rebounds, while Bizzelle had five rebounds and four assists. H-SC shot 32% (17-53) from the field, including 22% (4-18) on three-pointers, and 75% (15-20) at the free throw line. The Garnet & Grey played with senior guard Colin Radcliffe (Richlands, NC) (10.5 ppg.) and sophomore guard Santana Lynch (Dallas, TX) (11.7 ppg.), who each missed the contest due to illness.

Hammonds led RMC with his game-highs of 16 points and five assists, adding five rebounds. Theo Antinori finished with nine points for the Yellow Jackets. Pulley Jr. and Robinson each added eight points. RMC shot 41% (23-56) from the field, including 38% (11-29) on three-pointers, and 63% (12-19) at the line. The Yellow Jackets had a 21-9 advantage in second-chance points with 16 offensive rebounds, while out-rebounding the Tigers 43-31.

H-SC remains at home to play ODAC opponent Shenandoah University on Saturday afternoon, February 7, at 3 p.m. in Diaz Arena.