TIGERS EARN ROAD VICTORY OVER LAGRANGE, 67-53

Box Score

LAGRANGE, GA (January 1, 2008)—The Hampden-Sydney basketball team improved to 5-1 on the season as the Tigers defeated LaGrange College, 67-53, in LaGrange, GA on Monday afternoon. The Tigers were led by sophomore Turner King (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) as he finished with a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds. Hampden-Sydney held the Panthers to just 22 points in the first half and went on for the 67-53 victory.  With the win, Hampden-Sydney improved to 5-1, while the Panthers dropped to 3-9 overall.

The Tigers forced 11 turnovers and recorded six steals with defensive pressure that held the Panthers to 32.7 percent from the field and 9.1 percent from behind-the-arc.  Offensively for the Tigers, Hampden-Sydney enjoyed balanced production as nine players scored.  Joining King in double-figures in points was senior forward Troy Kaase (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring) as he finished with 11 points.

In the first half, neither team was clicking on offense as the Tigers held a 2-0 lead after five minutes of play.  The Tigers found a hot hand first as Hampden-Sydney built a 10-2 advantage with 12:40 left until halftime.  Both teams traded baskets for the next six minutes, but the Panthers were unable to get closer than seven points.  Hampden-Sydney would continue to build on their lead, taking a 15-point advantage, 37-22, into halftime.

Hampden-Sydney continued to build their lead early in the second half, taking a 43-24 lead just two minutes into the final half.  LaGrange would go on a 7-2 run to cut into the Tiger lead, but Hampden-Sydney would respond, maintaining a 14-point margin.  The Tigers took their largest lead, 65-38, with 4:28 left to play.  LaGrange would finish the game on a 15-2 run, but the Tigers prevailed, 67-53.

Contributing for the Tigers was a pair of seniors making the trip back to their home state as Drew Prehmus (Atlanta, GA/Wesleyan School) finished with nine points, and Tyler Murray (Atlanta, GA/Harrison) added seven points and nine rebounds.  Providing quality minutes off the bench for the Tigers were forward Karlis Trops (Riga, Latvia/Charlotte Catholic) and guard Hakeem Croom (Harlem, NY/Fishburne Military Academy).  LaGrange was led by Demetris Render as he scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Nic Whitfield chipped in with 16 points and eight boards.

For the game, Hampden-Sydney shot 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the field, 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from three-point range, while shooting 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from the charity stripe.  LaGrange was held to 32.7 percent from the field, 9.1 percent from three point range, making just 1-of-11 attempts from behind-the-arc.  The Tigers held a decisive advantage on the boards, 44-34, including 14 offensive rebounds.

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