Tigers Knockout Defending National Champs
Edwards, Murray, King Clutch Down Stretch
February 24, 2007
Box Score

SALEM, Va. --- Hampden-Sydney College shook up the NCAA D-III national scene on Saturday, defeating second-ranked Virginia Wesleyan College 70-67 in the first men’s semifinal of the 2007 ODAC Basketball Championship tournament.  The Tigers (17-10) move on to face the winner of Roanoke College and Bridgewater College in Sunday’s title game as they go in search of their 10^th conference crown.  The Marlins (23-4) will await a chance at an at-large bid into the NCAA postseason to continue their season.

HSC’s composure in the final minutes of play proved it had the determination needed in the postseason.  Senior Mike Edwards, junior Tyler Murray and freshman Turner King made pivotal plays down the stretch.

With Virginia Wesleyan bearing down, King showed nerves beyond his years, canning a three-pointer while falling to his left to give the Tigers a 65-61 lead with 1:37 to play.  The Marlins’ TonTon Balenga immediately repaid the effort, but Edwards pushed HSC’s advantage to three points with a tough runner down the lane.

Murray halted Terrell Dixon’s attempt to pull Virginia Wesleyan within one, blocking his three-pointer from the wing with 0:36 on the clock.  HSC’s Byron Lawton only converted the front-end of a one-and-one, allowing Tyler Fantin to bring Wesleyan within one with his second triple of the game with just 16 seconds to play.  Edwards put the cap on the Tigers’ efforts with two free throws to force the Marlins into desperation.  Dixon’s 35-footer just before the buzzer rattled off the backboard and rim.

“The guys just made plays,” explained Hampden-Sydney head coach Bubba Smith.  “That is what the game comes down to… getting stops and making plays and trying to make big shots.  Mike stepped up and did what seniors are supposed to do.”

Edwards led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting.  King added 20 markers on identical shooting, and added four rebounds.  Junior Drew Prehmus chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.

“I’ve wanted this my whole live,” said the Tigers’ Edwards.  “I’ve seen athletes interviewed after big games like this and they say they’re speechless and I know what they mean.  This feeling is immeasurable.”

Balenga led the Marlins with 19 points, hitting three of his five shots from beyond the arc.  Senior Brandon Adair recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and also chipped in four assists.  Fantin added 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

“They [the Tigers] played their heart out,” said Virginia Wesleyan head coach Dave Macedo.  “They played their best and today, they were the better team.”

Hampden-Sydney will await its opponent for the ODAC Men’s Basketball Championship final game.  That contest is set for Sunday, February 25, at 1:00 p.m. in the Salem Civic Center.

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