Lynchburg, Va. -- The Hornets tipped off their conference schedule with a thrilling 73-71 victory over the Bridgewater Eagles. 

The Hornets controlled throughout the first half, leading from the jump. Despite a poor first half offensively from the Eagles' one-two punch of Oates and Cooper, Bridgewater was able to stay within striking distance. 

At the break, Lynchburg led by seven points, but the Eagles refused to go away. A second-half surge, that included a barrage of threes, catapulted the Eagles out in front. With nine and a half minutes remaining, the Eagles claimed their first lead of the affair. Three minutes later, they extended their lead out to nine following a 17-3 run. Cooper and Oates came alive in the second half, combining for 41 points on the night.

But in the final six minutes, the Lynchburg defense turned up the heat, and the Eagles started to cool down. The Hornets ended the game on an 11-0 run, sealed by a layup from Cole Calloway with 0:18 remaining. 

Reining ODAC defensive player of the week, Piercen Young had another big game with two blocks, three steals, and seven rebounds to go along with his 11 points. Young rejected one of the final shots of the game on a three-point attempt with two seconds remaining. Freshman Jamarcus Brown had a big second half for the Hornets as well. Brown tallied 14 points on the night on 50% shooting from the floor. The athletic forward also recorded two pivotal blocks down the stretch. 

With the win, Lynchburg claims their first conference victory of the season and moves to 5-2 on the year with a perfect 4-0 record at home. The Hornets will continue their ODAC play this Saturday, Dec. 7, as they travel to Ferrum to take on the Panthers. 
  
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--LYN--