Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Senior team captain Adam Brazil scored a game-high 23 points, while classmate Davidson Hubbard added 18, to lead No. 1 Hampden-Sydney College to a 77-63 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) road win at Randolph College. Fifth-year Ryan Clements finished with nine points and a game-high four assists as the visiting Tigers won their 10th-straight game and improved to 15-1 overall, 7-1 in the ODAC. The host WildCats, who trailed 44-35 at halftime, were led by Danny Bickey with a game-high 23 points and dropped to 7-10 overall, 1-7 in the ODAC.

“Physical battle tonight,” said Hampden-Sydney Head Coach Caleb Kimbrough. “We knew it was going to be a battle and we had several guys step-up and make big plays. They (Randolph) shot lights out and I am proud of the guys for staying the course and finding a way.”

Breaking down the game

Hampden-Sydney took an early 8-4 advantage 17:47 as Hubbard opened with two free throws and a three-point field goal, along with a three-pointer by senior Alex Elliott. Randolph scored five-straight points to lead 9-8 with 16:47 on the clock, but the Tigers answered back with six-straight points to lead 14-9 at 15:55-getting consecutive three-pointers from Hubbard and Clements.

Another triple by Hubbard had the visitors ahead 17-13 at 12:51, and a jumper from Hubbard made it 25-20 with 8:46 on the clock. The WildCats, though, battled back to tie it at 25-25 with 6:53 to go, and the home team took a 33-32 lead at the 4:00 mark via a three-pointer by Bickey. H-SC, however, would finish the half by outscoring Randolph 12-2 over the final 2:50 to take a 44-35 lead at halftime. Brazil scored eight-straight points during the quick outburst, including a conventional three-point play and a three-pointer, sandwiched between baskets from senior team captain Josiah Hardy and Elliott (at the buzzer).

Hampden-Sydney extended the advantage to 50-39 early in the second half at 18:07 following baskets from Clements, Hardy and Hubbard. Randolph once-again fought back and was within 50-45 with 14:31 remaining after two free throws by Bickey. A jumper by fifth-year Chase Turner, along with back-to-back baskets from Brazil-the latter a three-pointer-had the Tigers ahead 57-45 at 11:20.

The WildCats made a final push and were within 60-55 with 6:43 left to play after consecutive three-pointers by Bickey, but that was as close as it would get for the hosts. The Garnet & Grey scored seven unanswered points to lead 67-55 at 5:42 as Hardy connected on two free throws, Hubbard added an old-fashioned three-point play and Clements scored on a drive to the basket. Brazil later added a jumper and two free throws for a 71-58 advantage with 4:26 on the clock-the two free throws resulting when Bickey fouled out (4:26). It was 71-63 at 1:58 before H-SC closed the contest with a baseline jumper by Brazil, a drive to the basket from Clements and a breakaway slam dunk by Hardy to provide for the final margin of victory.

Hampden-Sydney, by the numbers

Brazil led H-SC with his game-high 23 points, tying his career-high, on a very efficient 8-9 field goals, including 2-3 three-pointers, and 5-6 free throws, while adding a game-high and season-high four steals. Hubbard finished with his 18 points, including 3-6 three-pointers, for the Tigers.

Clements contributed his nine points and game-high four assists. Hardy had eight points, Turner added seven points and six rebounds, while Elliott finished with five points and six rebounds. Hampden-Sydney shot 48% (29-60) from the field, including 38% (8-21) on three-pointers, and 65% (11-17) at the free throw line. The Tigers enjoyed a 26-2 advantage in points from turnovers, forcing 14 miscues by Randolph, while committing only three turnovers-a season-low for Hampden-Sydney.

Bickey led Randolph with his game-high 23 points, including 4-7 three-pointers, adding five rebounds. Rayvon Graham added 14 points and game-highs of seven rebounds and four assists for the WildCats. Randolph shot 48% (23-48) from the field, including 47% (8-17) on three-pointers, and 75% (9-12) at the line-the home team was especially impressive during the opening 20 minutes, making 67% (14-21) from the field, including 57% (4-7) on three-pointers before the intermission.

What’s next for the Tigers?

H-SC is enjoying its finest start to a season since 2002-03 when the program began 22-0 en route to a 28-4 campaign that included an NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance. The Tigers will remain on the road at ODAC opponent Shenandoah University on Saturday, January 20, at 2 p.m. in Winchester, before returning home to host four-straight in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House.

That starts with the University of Lynchburg on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. The contest against the Hornets will be the program’s “Coaches vs. Cancer” game during “Suits And Sneakers Week” sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). It’s also “WHITEOUT WEDNESDAY” as all fans are encouraged to wear white.