(collegiate basketball)
Hampden-Sydney College and Methodist College claimed victories in the first two games of the 2004 C.P. Dean Tip-Off Classic, hosted by Hampden-Sydney. The Tigers defeated Clarke College, 72-64, in the opening game, while Methodist topped Cabrini 95-56 in the night cap. Methodist will meet Hampden-Sydney Saturday at 4 pm in the tournament championship contest.
Hampden-Sydney senior guard Brian Gunn (Danville, VA/GW Danville) hit a new career-high in points, thanks to a perfect shooting effort in the second half as he hit all eight of his shots and drained six three’s en route to scoring 23 of his 28 total points. Junior center Aaron Lewek (Raleigh, NC/Leesville Road) scored 11 points and pulled down five boards, while freshman Drew Prehmus (Atlanta, GA/Wesleyan School) scored ten points to give the Tigers three players in double figures in scoring.
The Tigers trailed at the half, 33-28, after a poor shooting performance in which the team hit just 10-of-30 field goals, 3-of-11 three pointers and 5-of-11 from the line, while Clarke drained 12-of-28 shots, including two three’s and seven free throws, with brothers Joemi and Hiraman Byrd leading the way with 14 and nine points respectively.
In the second half, the Tigers warmed up from the field as the team drained 15-of-26 (58%) shots, including eight three’s and made all six of their shots at the charity stripe, while holding the Crusaders to 42 percent from the field.
Clarke was paced by Joemi Byrd’s 25 points, while Hiraman Byrd added 20 to go with a game-high 11 rebounds. The Tigers finished the game shooting 45 percent (25-56) from the floor and 44 percent (11-25) from beyond the arc, while the Crusaders finished the game shooting 43 percent (23-54) from the field and 32 percent (6-19) from three point range. Hampden-Sydney held a 40-30 advantage on the glass, while the Tigers turned the ball of 21 times compared to 16 for Clarke.
In the second game of the evening, Methodist placed four players in double-figures in scoring and shot a scorching 51 percent, while out-rebounding Cabrini, 46-31, en route to a 39-point victory (95-56). Seth Thomas led the Monarchs with 19 points, while freshman point guard Marcus Hairstom scored 18 points and had four assists. Sam Porter finished with a double-double for Methodist with 17 points and ten boards, while Chris Mark scored 15 and chipped in with six rebounds.
Cabrini was led by Messiah Reames’ 16 points, while Greg Clifton added nine and Ty Teasley eight. The Cavaliers were held to 35 percent (18-52) shooting for the game and committed 24 turnovers, while Methodist committed just 12.
Cabrini meets Clarke at 2 pm in the tournament consolation game on Saturday, November 20, while Methodist and Hampden-Sydney tip-off at 4 pm. The Tigers’ contest will be broadcast live on FM 95.7 WFLO and on the internet at www.hsc.edu/athletics.