Men’s Basketball Holds Off Denison University

GRANVILLE, OHIO — The Hiram College men’s basketball team defeated Denison University, 71-62, tonight (Wednesday, Feb. 3) in a North Coast Athletic Conference game at Livingston Gymnasium in Granville. [Game Stats]

With the win, the Terriers improve to 10-1o overall and 7-4 in the NCAC. The Big Red fall t0 4-16 overall and 4-7 NCAC.

Hiram never trailed in the game and with the score tied at 10-10 in the first half, the Terriers ended the period on a 21-5 scoring run that was capped by one-of-two free-throws by sophomore guard Jamaal Watkins (South Euclid/Brush) and resulted in a commanding 31-15 lead at halftime.

The scoring run carried over into the second half as the Terriers recorded their first 20-point margin, 35-15, with 16:53 left to play thanks to a jumper by junior forward Hassan Muhammad (Akron/Buchtel). Hiram posted its largest lead of the game of 27 points, 54-27, at the 7:42 mark thanks to a jumper by junior guard Glenn Campbell (Akron/Buchtel). Denison would make a run at the Terrier lead in the later half of the period, narrowing the deficit to single digits, 71-62, with 11 seconds remaining. But the rally ended there and the Terriers went on to the 71-62 final.

Hiram recorded one of its best shooting nights of the season, finishing the game with an impressive 50.9 percentage (29-of-57) from the floor. Denison shot 44.8 percent (26-of-58) from the field.

The Big Red was led by Dimonde Hale with a game-high 24 points on 12-of-19 shooting (63.2 percent) and grabbed nine rebounds. Josh Leuchtag rounded out the high scorers for Dension with 11 points. In addition, Larry Farmer pulled down a game-high 10 boards.

Hiram also had two players score in double figures led by junior All-NCAC guard Chris Roberts (Cleveland/Kennedy) with 16 points on six-of-12 shooting (50.0 percent). Campbell was second with 15 points.

Hiram will travel to Springfield for a NCAC matchup against Wittenberg University on Saturday, Feb. 6. The Terriers have won the last three meetings against the Tigers and will look to sweep the season series for the second straight year. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.