Box Score

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – In perhaps the most exciting game of the season, the Cabrini College men's basketball team held on to defeat No. 16 Hampden-Sydney College 80-78 in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.  The road win improves the Cavaliers to 23-5 on the season and send the Blue and White to the tournament's second round.

Senior Jeremy Knowles led the Cabrini charge with 24 points, including six three pointers, with three steals.  Sophomore Aaron Walton-Moss recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds to go with six assists.  Junior Fran Rafferty added 12 points.

The home team jumped out to an early three point lead in the game's first minute but the Cavaliers responded, as a Rafferty jumper gave Cabrini its first lead of the night at 6-5.  The lead went back and forth until the Cavaliers broke it open with a 14-0 run, keyed by two three pointers each by Rafferty and Knowles. 

The Tigers showed their grit, fighting back with a 9-2 run, cutting Cabrini's lead to 35-29 with 4:30 until the break.  Hampden-Sydney continued to chip away, as the Cavaliers' advantage had been whittled down to just three points at 42-39 at the halftime break.

The Hampden-Sydney run continued early into the second half, as the Tigers grabbed a slim one point less than three minutes into the half.  A Walton-Moss lay-up and Knowles triple returned Cabrini's lead to four points.   At the 12:06 mark, senior A.J. Williams capped a 9-2 spurt as the Blue and White extended its lead to 58-51.

Cabrini's lead extended to 72-61 on junior Tim McDaniels' jumper with just over five minutes to play.  Minutes later, senior DeLeon Floyd completed a three point play giving the Cavaliers a 79-71 lead with 1:51 to play when the capacity crowd reached a fever pitch.  The Tigers responded cutting Cabrini's lead to 79-78 with just 42 seconds to play.

The Cavaliers missed a pair of lay-ups in the game's final seconds but secured offensive rebounds on both to maintain possession.  With eight seconds to play, the Tigers fouled Williams, sending the senior to the line for a one-and-one.  Williams hit the first and missed the second before Hampden-Sydney's game-winning three points attempt bounced off the rim, sending the Blue and White running to center court to celebrate.

Cabrini's inside duo of Floyd and junior Jon Miller recorded nine points each and combined for seven boards.  Williams finished with eight points on the night.

George Harrison led Hampden-Sydney (23-5) with a game high 25 points and five steals.  Greg Lewis added 13 points and a team-high seven boards, while Leon Hargrove tallied 12 points.

The Cavaliers will face North coast Athletic Conference champions Ohio Wesleyan University.  The Bishops improved to 23-5 with tonight's 84-75 opening round win over St. Vincent College.   Game time and location will be announced on Monday.