SALEM, Va--- Roanoke fell to ODAC-foe Hampden-Sydney, 87-72 Saturday afternoon at the S. Douglass Fleet Gymnasium on the campus of Hampden-Sydney. The Maroons dropped to 5-6, 1-2 in ODAC play, while the Tigers improved to 8-4, 1-3 in the conference.

H-SC used their size advantage to outrebound Roanoke 47-27. The other difference in the game came at the charity stripe, where the Tigers were able to knock down 30-of-38 free throw attempts, while the Maroons converted on just 10-of-16 on the contest. Roanoke hung around for most of the game, using their depth finish with a 27-14 advantage in points off the bench.

Hampden-Sydney jumped out to an early 9-3 edge behind five quick points from Ben Jesse, just three minutes into play. Roanoke battled back, as Kwasi Amponsah (Woodbridge, VA, Garfield) tied the game for the first time on a conventional three-point play midway through the first stanza. The two teams traded baskets through the remainder of the half as the Tigers never took anymore than an eight-point lead and entered the half with a 45-39 advantage.

The Maroons came out of the gates firing in the second half, mounting an 11-5 run over the first seven minutes of action to tie the game at 51-all on a jumper by Jack Hamilton (Arlington, VA, St, Stephen's St. Agnes). Clinging on to a one-point lead with eight minutes remaining, the Tigers closed the game on a furious 25-11 run. The home team knocked down 12 free throws during the stretch to seal their first ODAC win.

Melvin Felix (Caguas, Puerto Rico, Salem) and Matt Crizer (Covington, VA, Alleghany) led a balanced Roanoke attack with 13 points each. The Maroons finished with five players in double-figures. Felix added a team-high four assists, while Crizer finished with two steals. Amponsah came off the bench to chip in 11 points, three assists, and two steals.

Logan Singleton (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley) finished in double-figures for the fourth consecutive game with 11 points. Clay Lacy (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring) tossed in 10 counters, knocking down two shots from three-point range. Hamilton contributed a strong outing, totaling eight points, a team-high six boards, three steals, and two assists.

Reigning ODAC Player of the Week Harrison George paced the Tigers with 24 points and 13 caroms, while shooting 15-of-19 from the free throw line. Jesse netted 21 points on 5-of-6 shooting from downtown, he added seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Ru White contributed 19 points from the point guard position.

Roanoke returns to action Monday, Jan. 10^th as they travel to Emory & Henry College to take on the Wasps in a conference match-up. Tip-off is schedule for a 7:00 p.m. start.