HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. - Host Hampden-Sydney used a strong start Sunday afternoon to key a 79-71 victory over Shenandoah in the final game of the 2009 South Region Challenge.

The Tigers (2-1) put Shenandoah (1-5) in an early hole by scoring the game's first seven points and eventually led 21-7 by the 11:24 mark of the first.

However, SU refused to fold and was able to cut the deficit to five points following a Kevin Kline layup with 6:58 to play.

H-SC then reasserted control by finishing the first half on an 18-15 run; Shenandoah was able to keep the deficit in single digits because Chris Schrader drained a three-pointer at the buzzer.

The Hornets continued to keep up the pressure and came within two points twice, the last with just over five minutes remaining when Kenny Robertson finished off a layup, but was never able to find the game-tying points.

SU didn't help itself as it struggled to a 14 for 26 showing from the charity stripe (53.8 percent) and missed eight of nine attempts from behind the arc in the 40-minute contest.

Robertson and Mitch Dudley had 17 points each, Schrader 16 and Kline 13 to lead the Hornets in the scoring column.

Dudley and Schrader helped Shenandoah to a 40-29 advantage on the glass with 12 and 10 rebounds, respectively.

The Hornets continue non-conference play on Wednesday evening with a 7 p.m. game against Southern Virginia.

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