FARMVILLE, Va. - Shod Smith and Zach Hatter both posted 20 points in a big conference win for Bridgewater men's basketball over Hampden-Sydney on Monday night in Farmville.

The Basics

• Final Score: Bridgewater 75, Hampden-Sydney 65
• Records: Bridgewater (9-13, 5-9 ODAC), Hampden-Sydney (12-9, 7-7 ODAC)

How It Happened

• After a Tigers layup started the game nearly two minutes in, Smith responded with a bucket of his own less than thirty second later. Hatter proceeded to sink two shots from behind the arc and a jumper from the key to give Bridgewater an early 10-2 lead five minutes into the half. Aaron Oates extended the advantage to 12-5 off a clever pass from Smith
• The Tigers brought the game to within two points at 12-10 before Smith stole the ball from Tigers for an easy layup at the other end of the court. Alec Topper added the exclamation point on the middle portion of the half with a three pointer off a pass from Liam Caswell to help BC take a 17-13 lead
• Bridgewater had an answer for every Hampden-Sydney possesion and ended the half on back-to-back three pointers from Oates and Hatter to enter the locker room up 37-32. The Eagles were feeling it from behind the arc, shooting 42.9% in the frame
• Hampden-Sydney regained the lead out of halftime, pushing to score to 47-43 Tigers until Hatter responded with a jump shot to cut the edge to two points. After trading free throw makes, the Tigers took another four point advantage on a driving layup. Jalen Curtis answered the call and sank a big three off another pass from Smith to help BC come back within one point at 50-49
• The Tigers held a 53-52 edge with 11 minutes to play when Caswell hit a three to give Bridgewater their first lead since halftime. Hatter added another three to his stat line less than a minute later to separate the Eagles and regain the momentum just at the right time. Determined to hold the lead, Bridgewater continue to deny the H-SC offensive and make crafty plays of their own to leave Farmville with the 75-65 victory

Match Notes

• Smith showed why he is one of the top rookies in the league, dropping 20 points and dishing out seven assists. He attempted 13 free throws in the contest, sinking 12
• Hatter had a season high 20 points to go with four rebounds. The sophomore shot 50% from the field
• Topper posted his fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and ten boards. Oates added 12 points and four boards from the bench, going 4-for-5 from the field
• Bridgewater shot 50% from the field compared to the Tigers 43.1%. The Eagles also controlled the defensive boards 25-20
• The Eagles took significantly more trips to the charity stripe than the Tigers did, going 18-for-21 while the Tigers only attempted six free throws, making four

Up Next

• The Eagles will look to make it two straight wins when they travel to Shenandoah on Wednesday, February 16 for a 5:00 p.m. tip. The Eagles defeated the Hornets in Nininger Hall 97-88 on January 31.