Posted: Dec 02, 2009
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. --- Roanoke hung tough for the first 30 minutes but Hampden-Sydney pulled away late to win, 90-76 Wednesday evening in the ODAC season-opener for both squads. The Maroons fell to 3-2, 0-1 in the conference while the Tigers improved to 3-1, 1-0 in the ODAC.
After back-to-back Matt Crizer (Covington, VA, Alleghany)three-pointers tied the contest at 65-65 with 10 minutes remaining, the Tigers went on a 14-0 run to increase its lead to a game-high 14 points, 79-65 with less than seven minutes remaining and held on to win by that margin. During the Tigers' run, a technical foul was called on the Maroons, which gave them four additional points off free-throws to help put the game out of reach.
Both teams shot well from the floor, as Roanoke shot 48.4% with Hampden-Sydney at 47%. The difference came in the second half as the Tigers grabbed 22 second-half rebounds, 11 on the offensive end. They executed the ball well, committing only seven turnovers on the night. Roanoke committed 15 turnovers, nine in the second half which led to 21 points off turnovers for H-SC.
Crizer led the Maroons in the scoring column with 16 points, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Michael McGeough (Danville, VA, George Washington)recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Walker had 10 points and dished out a team-best five assists. Chittock and Logan Singleton (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley)tossed in 10 points each.
George Harrison poured in 24 points off the bench off 10-of-13 shooting from the floor along with seven rebounds to lead the Tigers. Turner King scored 20 points, including 18 in the second half in addition to 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Ben Jesse added 19 points followed by Randall Ward with nine points and a game-high six assists.
Roanoke jumped ahead early as they built a 10-1 lead with just three minutes eclipsed in the game and stayed in control for most of the first half of play. The Tigers countered with a 17-8 run to tie the score at 18-apiece with 10:30 left in the half.
Karlis Trops gave the Tigers their first lead of the night on a three-pointer, but it was short lived as Parrish Walker (Greensboro, NC, Dudley)knocked down two consecutive shots giving the Maroons a 22-21 lead with 8:21 remaining in the half.
The two teams continued to trade baskets, and Roanoke built its lead to six with less than three minutes left, but Hampden-Sydney responded over the next minute and a half to cut the lead to 42-40. Roanoke, however, scored the last two buckets; including Melvin Felix (Caguas, Puerto Rico, Salem)layup as time expired to take a 46-40 lead into intermission.
Though Roanoke scored the first points of the second half, Hampden-Sydney poured in seven straight to cut the lead to 48-47. The next seven minutes were back-and-forth with four ties and three lead changes.
With the Tigers up, 79-65 midway through the second half, Kendrick Chittock (Auburn, OH, University School)and Corey Poindexter (Pulaski, VA, Pulaski County/Hargrave)hit back-to-back three's to close their deficit to within eight, 79-71 with 5:33 remaining.
The men will host ODAC-foe Lynchburg in the first meeting between former Maroon great Hillary Scott (Lynchburg, VA, EC Glass)'94 and Page Moir. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. following the women's basketball contest vs. Hollins.
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