HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. --- Junior Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) scored 18 points, including the go-ahead three-point field goal with 2:55 remaining, to lead Hampden-Sydney College to a 63-59 home win past Emory (GA) University in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday night in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House. Senior Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) added 14 points for the Tigers (22-6), while junior Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) had eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds. H-SC led 31-29 at halftime against the visiting Eagles (17-9), who were led by Benjamin Pearce with a game-high 19 points. The Tigers will play Christopher Newport University in the second round on Saturday night at 7:20 p.m. at Hampden-Sydney—the Captains (25-3) defeated Farmingdale State (NY) College 61-60 in the other first round game on Friday.

"Wow, what an environment tonight," said fourth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "The guys showed amazing grit against a very talented and well-coached Emory team. Quick turnaround … looking forward to another battle tomorrow. Love this team!"

H-SC, ranked No. 20 in this week's D3hoops.com Top 25, fell behind 3-0 early as EU connected on a three-pointer during the opening minute, but the Tigers quickly answered and put together a 23-9 run to lead 23-12 at 10:06. Seven different players contributed for the Garnet & Grey, including a pair of three-pointers off the bench by sophomore Ayman McGowan (Memphis, TN), while Brazil and Clements each had four points. H-SC led 25-14 at 8:04 following a basket inside from junior Josiah Hardy (Ashburn), but the Eagles battled back with a 15-4 run to tie the contest at 29-29 with 1:49 on the first-half clock—Pearce sparking the outburst with a pair of three-pointers. Clements added another basket during the final minute to provide the home team with a 31-29 lead at the intermission.

H-SC pushed the lead to 34-29 early in the second half at 19:30 after three quick points by Clements, but EU got five quick points from Pearce, including a three-pointer, to tie it at 34-34 with 18:21 remaining. The Tigers led 41-36 at 14:16 following an offensive rebound basket by Hubbard, though EU once-again answered and a pair of three-pointers had the visitors in front at 42-41 with 12:33 to play. The lead then changed six times and it was tied twice before the Garnet & Grey took a 52-49 advantage at 7:56 as Hubbard scored four quick points, including a pair of free throws. H-SC led 56-52 following two free throws by Brazil with 4:38 on the clock, and the margin was 58-55 after a basket in the lane from Brazil at 3:41. The Eagles tied it at 58-58 with 3:24 left after another three-pointer by Pearce, but Brazil put the Tigers ahead for good at 61-58 with a deep three-pointer at 2:55. An EU free throw made it 61-59 at 2:41, and Brazil secured the outcome by making two free throws with just 2.5-seconds remaining. Overall, the game featured nine lead changes and was tied nine times over the 40 minutes, though H-SC led for 28:35 on the night for its first NCAA Tournament win since March 4, 2004 at Elizabethtown (PA) (74-71).

Brazil led H-SC with his 18 points, including 5-5 free throws, adding three rebounds and two assists. Clements finished with his 14 points, adding four rebounds, three steals and two assists for the Tigers. Hubbard contributed his eight points and game-high 13 rebounds, adding a game-high and career-high four steals. Hardy, McGowan and junior DJ Wright (Greensboro, GA) each had six points with Hardy adding five rebounds, as well. H-SC shot 39% (25-64) from the field, including just 18% (3-17) on three-pointers, and 71% (10-14) at the free throw line.

Pearce led WU with his game-high 19 points, including 5-10 three-pointers, adding six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mason Johnson had 13 points and six rebounds for the Eagles. Albert Fallas had six points and a game-high seven assists. EU shot 36% (21-58) from the field, including 39% (12-31) on three-pointers, and 50% (5-10) at the line. The Eagles were getting votes in the national poll this week.

H-SC advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and will play nationally-ranked No. 2 Christopher Newport on Saturday night, March 4, at 7:20 p.m. in Fleet Gym. Tickets to the contest will be available on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. at Kirby Field House on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The game will also be broadcast and can be heard locally on WVHL Radio, Kickin' Country 92.9 FM, pregame airing at 7 p.m., and will also be available worldwide on the Internet at wvhl.net or via the TuneIn Radio App, while available to watch as well at hscathletics.com.