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Senior Turner King had a team-high 21 points in the effort HIGH POINT, NC (November 21, 2009)—Hampden-Sydney was right on the heels of High Point University after 20 minutes of play as they trailed by just eight points with a score of 45-37. It was a tale of two halves, however, as the Panthers were able to pull away to a 100-74 victory in Hampden-Sydney’s season opener. Three Tigers managed to score in double figures as senior Turner King (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) led the way with 21 points while sophomore Ben Jessee (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) and freshman Harrison George (Raleigh, NC/Leesville) registered 12 and 10 points respectively. The two teams traded baskets to start the game with a 4-4 tie before High Point tried to pull away with three straight baskets to go up 11-4. A Harrison George lay up brought the game to 13-10 but High Point again made a run, and a Nick Barbour three pointer at the 11:46 mark put the Panther lead at 22-14. Three minutes later, the Tigers trailed 32-17, but were far from out as they put together a 10-0 run close the gap to 32-27 after King knocked down two free throws with 6:15 to play in the first half. Barbour put the Tiger deficit back to 10 on a free throw, but Hampden-Sydney continued to score keeping the game in single digits. Before the half it looked the High Point would go into intermission with an 11 point lead, but freshman Randall Ward (Richmond, VA/John Marshall) nailed a three pointer with 15 seconds left to bring the score to 45-37. The second stanza started out with High Point coming out to a 66-45 lead after five minutes. After a Ward lay up, High Point slowly extended the lead and after a Barbour three pointer give the Panthers their biggest lead of the night at 96-66 with 4:17 to play. The Tigers then scored five unanswered points via two from freshman Alex Potapov (Moscow, Russia/Florida Air) and three from senior Hakeem Croom (Harlem, NY/Fishburne Military Academy). The two teams then traded baskets until Adam Hall put the final addition to the scoreboard with a free throw at the 1:15 mark. High Point edged the Tigers in rebounding 40-38 and held the visiting Tigers to 37.8 percent (22-58) shooting for the contest. The Tigers got to the free throw line 31 times as opposed to High Points' 20 trips. King's 21 points paced Hampden-Sydney while his nine rebounds were also a team best. George also turned in a near double-double performance with 10 points and seven rebounds. Barbour led all scorers with 23 points via 8-of-15 shooting while four other Panthers scored in double figures. Eugene Harris tallied 19 while David Campbell added 14 point. Hampden-Sydney will return to S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium for its home opener in the first game of the South Region Hoops Challenge on Saturday, November 28. The Tigers will face the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan followed by Shenandoah and Mary Washington. Tip offs are set for 6:00 and 8:00 pm. www.hsc.edu/athletics |
