The Generals had a strong-shooting first half as they connected on 6-of-9 from beyond the arc and hit on 18-of-29 (62%) shots from the floor en route to posting a 46-37 lead over the Tigers. Hampden-Sydney shot 52 percent (11-for-21) from the floor in the opening stanza, but committed 11 turnovers, several which Washington and Lee converted into breakaway layups.
The Generals’ Femi Kusimo scored the first bucket of the second half to give the team an 11-point advantage, 48-37, but the Tigers rallied with a 14-2 run to take a 51-50 lead at the 16:15 mark on a layup by freshman guard Drew Prehmus (Atlanta, GA/Wesleyan).
The Tigers pushed their lead to as much as six points over the next six minutes as Prehmus and freshman forward Troy Kaase (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring) each dropped in a pair of buckets while an A.J. Dowell (Roanoke, VA/Salem) three-pointer helped the team to a 62-56 advantage with 10:10 left to play.
The Generals then rallied as a John Mumper jumper just two minutes later tied the score at 62. The two teams traded baskets before a Mike Edwards (Richmond, VA/Steward School) layup and free throw at the 6:09 mark put the Tigers ahead for good, while consecutive Prehmus three pointers helped Hampden-Sydney put its eighth win in-a-row on ice.
Prehmus tallied 18 points to pace the Tigers, while Dowell finished with a career-high 17 with Kaase adding 13. Mike Edwards and juniors Matt Guill (Emmaus, PA/Emmaus) and Aaron Lewek (Raleigh, NC/Leesville Road) each finished with nine points as the Tigers shot 56 percent (25-for-45) from the floor, 43 percent (6-for-14) from beyond the arc and 74 percent (25-for-34) from the line, while committing just five second half turnovers and out-rebounding the Generals, 31-23.
Washington and Lee was paced by sophomore guard Chris Halkitis, who scored 19 points thanks in part to four three-pointers. Meanwhile, freshman forward Greg Beinemann finished with 15, while Femi Kusimo added 15 points and five steals. Mike Stuart scored 11 to give the Generals four players in double figures as the team shot 51 percent (28-for-55) from the floor, 47 percent (8-for-17) from beyond the arc and 55 percent (11-for-20) from the charity stripe.
Hampden-Sydney returns to the hardwood and the road Monday, February 7, as the team travels to Salem, VA, to take on Roanoke College at 7 pm.