FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Senior Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) scored 11 of his game-high 16 points over the final 5:36 to lead nationally-ranked No. 1 Hampden-Sydney College to a 62-57 come-from-behind win past No. 7 Guilford (NC) College in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship on Thursday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fifth-year Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) and sophomore Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) (off the bench) each finished with 10 points for the Tigers, who trailed 30-29 at halftime and 47-40 with under seven minutes remaining, before scoring 10 unanswered points that began a game-changing 17-2 run toward outscoring the Quakers 22-10 over the final 6:34. H-SC improved to a school-record 31-2 overall while advancing to the National Championship for just the second time in school history on Saturday, March 16, at 4:06 p.m. at the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.

"What a battle tonight," said fifth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "Ours guys were their best when their best was needed and came up with several HUGE plays down the stretch. We stayed together, stayed tough, and our grit showed. Proud of these guys, proud of this team, but we are not done yet."

H-SC will play No. 13 Trine (IN) University in the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball National Championship on Saturday, March 16, at 4:06 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. It's just the second National Championship appearance in program history for the Tigers, who finished as national runner-up in 1999. Trine (28-4), located approximately 35 miles northeast of Fort Wayne, advanced to the title contest with a 66-54 win past No. 3 Trinity (CT) in the second semifinal on Thursday night.

H-SC scored the first three points of the contest against their fellow Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) member GC, leading 3-0 at 17:06 after a pair of opening free throws from senior team captain Josiah Hardy (Ashburn) and a charity toss by Hubbard. The Tigers increased their advantage to 14-8 at 9:01 following a three-point field goal by Clements after a pair of baskets inside from Fernald and an offensive rebound score by junior Nick Shryock (Davidson, NC). The Quakers rallied back and led 19-18 with 5:31 left in the half after a three-pointer by Luke Proctor, his second and the team's fourth of the opening half. The Garnet & Grey went back in front 25-20 with a layup from Hardy, a three-pointer by senior Alex Elliott (Marietta, GA) and a layup from Hubbard—the two layups assisted by Fernald. GC closed the half strong and led 30-29 at the break as Proctor connected on two more three-pointers.

H-SC began the second half well and took a 38-34 lead at 14:19 as Fernald scored six quick points, including 2-2 free throws, while senior team captain Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) scored his first basket of the contest on a reverse layup—assisted by Fernald. GC, however, used a 13-2 run to take a 47-40 advantage with 7:04 remaining as Proctor closed the outburst with his fifth three-pointer. The Tigers, though, refused to quit … scoring 10 unanswered points to go back in front 50-47 at the 4:00 mark. Elliott (right corner) and Hubbard (left wing) started the quick blitz with consecutive three-pointers, both assisted by Brazil, and Hubbard added a jumper from the left wing ahead of a turnaround jumper at the free throw line by Brazil. The Garnet & Grey continued their momentum and increased the blitz to 17-2 for a 57-49 advantage with 1:44 left to play – Clements adding a three-pointer from left wing (Brazil assist), Hubbard adding a layup on an inbound play under the basket (Clements assist) and Clements finishing with a two-handed slam dunk in traffic off a pretty feed from Hubbard. H-SC closed with a jumper from Hubbard (59-52, 1:10), two free throws by Hubbard (61-53, :25.4) and 1-2 free throws from Clements (:04.2) to provide for the final margin of victory.

Hubbard led H-SC with his game-high 16 points, including 11 points over the final 5:36, adding seven rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot. Clements and Fernald each finished with their respective 10 points for the Tigers, with Clements adding eight rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Fernald adding five rebounds, a game-high five assists and one block. Hardy and Elliott each contributed eight points, with Hardy adding nine rebounds. Brazil had six points and a game-high five assists. H-SC shot 42% (24-57) from the field, including 29% (5-17) on three-pointers, and 69% (9-13) at the free throw line. The Tigers enjoyed a 30-18 advantage in points scored in the paint, and a 14-0 advantage in bench points, while out-rebounding their opponent 44-27.

Julius Burch and Tyler Dearman led GC with their respective game highs of 16 points each, with Burch adding a game-high 11 rebounds, and Dearman adding a game-high four steals. Proctor finished with 15 points for the Quakers. GC shot 33% (19-57) from the field, including 29% (9-31) on three-pointers, and 83% (10-12) at the line—completing its season with a final record of 26-5.