SC Virginia News

No. 18 Hampden-Sydney Runs Past Visiting Shenandoah 74-55

Junior Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) posted game-highs of 15 points and nine rebounds to lead 18th-ranked Hampden-Sydney College to a 74-55 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball home win past Shenandoah University on Saturday afternoon in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House. Juniors Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) and Alex Elliott (Marietta, GA) each contributed 13 points for the host Tigers (18-4, 12-1 ODAC). H-SC led 33-31 at halftime, before outscoring SU 41-24 in the second half toward its ninth-straight win, and its 16th win in the last 17 games. Malik Jordan and Joshua Stephen each scored 13 points for the visiting Hornets (6-15, 3-9 ODAC).

"Proud of the guys for protecting home court this afternoon," said fourth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "I thought we did a good job controlling the glass and really picked-up our defense in the second half."

H-SC, ranked 18th in this week's D3hoops.com Top 25, took an early 11-5 advantage at 14:39 as Hubbard and Elliott—off the bench—combined for nine quick points. SU battled back to tie it at 14-14 with 11:13 on the clock following a three-point field goal, but the Tigers responded with 13 unanswered points to take their largest lead of the opening half at 27-14 at 7:45 … junior DJ Wright (Greensboro, GA) starting the outburst with eight consecutive points, including two three-pointers, along with a three-pointer from Brazil and two free throws by Hubbard. The Garnet & Grey led 31-18 at 6:27 after a fast-break slam dunk from Hubbard, though the Hornets would outscore the hosts 13-2 over the final six-plus minutes of the half to provide for the 33-31 halftime margin.

SU scored the first basket of the second half to tie the contest at 33-33 with 19:33 left to play, but H-SC once-again had a prompt response, scoring nine unanswered points to lead 42-33 at 15:14. Junior Josiah Hardy (Ashburn) started the quick run with an offensive rebound and put-back basket, followed by another dunk by Hubbard, before Brazil added a deep three-pointer ahead of a layup (by Brazil). The Tigers extended their run to 20-2 for a 53-35 advantage at 11:11 as Brazil added yet another three-pointer and layup, and Elliott scored four quick points. The Hornets managed to get to within 62-50 at 5:16, but the Garnet & Grey scored six-straight points—four by Hardy and two more from Elliott—to lead 68-50 with 3:23 remaining. H-SC took its largest lead at 74-54 with less than a minute to play toward the final 19-point margin of victory.

Hubbard led H-SC with his game-highs of 15 points and nine rebounds, adding two assists and a game-high two blocks. Brazil and Elliott each finished with their respective 13 points for the Tigers, with Brazil adding three assists and two steals. Wright had eight points and three assists, senior Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) had seven points, six rebounds and four assists, and Hardy had six points and six rebounds. H-SC shot 51% (28-55) from the field, including 29% (5-17) on three-pointers, and 87% (13-15) at the free throw line. The Tigers enjoyed a 36-14 advantage in points scored in the paint, and out-rebounded the visitors 41-26.

Jordan and Stephen each led SU with their respective 13 points, with Jordan adding a game-high six assists, and Stephen adding five rebounds, three assists and a game-high three steals. SU shot 33% (19-57) from the field, including 31% (8-26) on three-pointers, and 75% (9-12) at the line.

The Tigers' 18 overall wins, and the 12 conference wins, are the most under Coach Kimbrough since he took over prior to the 2019-20 season, and also the program's highest win totals since 2012-13 (23-5, 14-2)—the last season that H-SC advanced to the NCAA Tournament, as well.

H-SC is idle during next week's mid-week (Wednesday) contest before playing on the road at ODAC member Ferrum College on Saturday, February 11, at 2 p.m. in Ferrum. The Tigers return home for their final regular season conference home game against the University of Lynchburg on Wednesday night, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in Fleet Gym. It will be Senior Night on the 15th in recognition and celebration of senior forward Harrison Taylor (Nashville, TN). 

Original source can be found here