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Wednesday night was the Travis Stickney show at Hampden-Sydney College. The freshman guard scored both a career-high and game-high 20 points to lead the No. 5 Tigers to a 66-47 win over Virginia Wesleyan University. 

Playing in front of an energetic crowd at S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium, Stickney went 7 of 8 from the floor, including 2 of 3 on three-pointers, while junior forward and team captain Shane Fernald added 15 points and eight rebounds. This win was the eighth straight for Hampden-Sydney, which improved to 18-3 overall, 11-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. VWU meanwhile dropped to 16-5 overall, 9-3 in the ODAC. 

“Kirby was alive tonight!” said Hampden-Sydney head coach Caleb Kimbrough. “Thank you to all the students and members of the community who came out to support. This is a special team that is just starting to hit their stride. I think our best ball is still ahead of us!”

Travis Stickney, Tigers take control early

The Tigers took control early and never let up, going on a 15-1 run to lead 18-5 with 10:36 left in the first half. The Marlins closed to within 20-14 at 6:22, but the Garnet & Grey outscored their visitors 13-10 over the final 8:02 of the opening half to lead 33-24 at halftime. Stickney and Fernald each had 10 points at the break, while transfer guard and team captain Colin Radcliffe scored five first-half points, including a three-pointer.

Hampden-Sydney extended the margin to 44-30 with 13:23 remaining. VWU rallied back with 10 unanswered points to get to within 44-40 at 8:38, but the Tigers had an answer of their own … closing the contest on a 22-7 run over the final 8:27 for the victory. Radcliffe started the game-ending outburst with a three-pointer and closed it with a turnaround jumper with just over a minute left, adding another three-pointer, as well, for eight of the points, while Stickney added seven points with another three-pointer of his own, along with a fastbreak slam dunk much to the delight of the loud student section at that end of the floor. 

The Tigers shot 44% (24-55) from the field, including 29% (5-17) on three-pointers, and 77% (13-17) at the free throw line. Amari Moorer had a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Marlins. VWU shot 31% (19-61) from the field, including just 11% (2-18) on three-pointers, and 78% (7-9) at the line.

Up next for Hampden-Sydney

The Tigers go on the road this weekend to take on Bridgewater College Saturday, Feb. 8. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m. in Bridgewater.