SC Virginia News

Hampden-Sydney Falls To Christopher Newport 72-59 In NCAA Tournament Second Round; Tigers Complete Finest Season In 10 Years With 22 Wins

Junior Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) posted his 14th double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 72-59 decision at home to Christopher Newport University in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament on Saturday night in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House. Junior DJ Wright (Greensboro, GA) added 13 points for the Tigers, while classmate and team captain Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) had 11 points and a game-high four assists. H-SC trailed 28-24 at halftime against the visiting Captains, who were led by Rodney Graves with a game-high 19 points off the bench, while Jahn Hines added 18 points and Trey Barber had a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. CNU, ranked second nationally, improved to 26-3 and advances to next weekend's NCAA Sectionals. H-SC, ranked 20th nationally, completes its campaign with a final record of 22-7, its finest season in 10 years, while only its fourth 20-win season in 20 years.

H-SC scored the first four points of the contest with early baskets from junior Josiah Hardy (Ashburn) and senior Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA), and the Tigers led 6-1 at 15:21 after a layup by Hubbard. The Garnet & Grey pushed the advantage to 16-10 at 11:22 following a layup from senior team captain Chase Turner (Virginia Beach). CNU, however, scored seven unanswered points to go ahead 17-16 at 7:19, and extended its run to 12-2 to lead 22-18 with 3:54 on the first-half clock—Hines and Barber each scoring four points. Consecutive baskets from Turner and Clements had H-SC within 23-22 at 2:01, but the Captains closed the opening half with six of the last seven points scored to lead 28-24 at the intermission.

CNU continued its momentum to begin the second half, scoring the first nine points to lead 37-24 with 17:31 remaining. H-SC worked hard to narrow the margin, but just could not make much headway, trailing 43-34 at 12:02 after a pair of free throws by Wright, who scored six-straight points for the hosts. The Captains, however, responded with 12 unanswered points to take their largest lead of the night at 55-36 with 6:37 on the clock—Graves started it with a three-point field goal and Barber ended it with a pair of baskets down low. The Tigers refused to go away and battled back to within 55-43 at 3:58 with seven-straight points, as Brazil added two free throws and Hubbard connected on a three-pointer and two free throws, as well. Graves then made another three-pointer and the visitors pushed their lead back to 63-45 with just 2:15 left to play. H-SC was able to close to within 64-53 at 1:20 following another three-pointer by Hubbard, but that was as close as it would get toward the final margin.

Hubbard led H-SC with his 14 points and 11 rebounds. Wright finished with his 13 points for the Tigers. Brazil contributed his 11 points and game-highs of four assists and two steals. Clements had nine points, four rebounds and three assists, while senior team captain Miles Harris (Virginia Beach) added a game-high and career-high four assists. H-SC shot 31% (23-74) from the field, including 20% (5-25) on three-pointers, and 80% (8-10) at the free throw line.

Graves led CNU with his game-high 19 points, including 4-8 three-pointers, adding seven rebounds. Hines added his 18 points along with six rebounds for the Captains. Barber had his double-double with 15 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, adding a game-highs five blocks, as well, while Matthew Brodie contributed 12 points. CNU shot 38% (21-55) from the field, including 30% (8-27) on three-pointers, and 63% (22-35) at the line.

H-SC expects to return 19 of 20 team members for next season, including all five starters, as only senior Harrison Taylor (Nashville, TN) is graduating in May with plans to move forward beyond the College. 

Original source can be found here