FORT WAYNE, Ind. - For the third time in program history, and first since 2010, the Guilford College men's basketball team is in the Semifinals round of the NCAA Division-III Men's Basketball Tournament after Tyler Dearman's heroics knocked off the reigning National Champion, Christopher Newport University. Their foe, is a very familiar one as the Quakers draw Hampden-Sydney University in their Final Four matchup.

"We're super excited to be here, really happy for our guys. It is going to be a great experience for them," Head Coach Tom Palombo said. "Not just the basketball team and our basketball program, but you know, our families, our friends, the Guilford community to really celebrate this to really enjoy it, and embrace it and that is what we are trying to do.

GC bounced back from having a premature Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC)Tournament exit in the semifinals round to the ultimately NCAA Tournament-bound Virginia Wesleyan, but regrouped to advance with blowout victories over Berry, Penn. St.-Harrisburg, and Keene State before beating CNU just before the horn. As a result, their season record stands at 26-4 and are tied for the second-most wins in the Palombo-era.

The Tigers, on the other hand, are an extraordinary 30-2 on the season, although one of those defeats was at the hands of the Quakers in December. That contest, a matchup between what now are two of the top five defensive teams in the nation, was a high scoring affair ending in an 80-71 score.

WHO: Hampden-Sydney College
WHAT: National Semifinals of the NCAA Division-III Men's Basketball Tournament
WHEN: 5:30 PM
WHERE: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana
HOW TO FOLLOW: STATS | VIDEO

MATCHUP HISTORY
On record (since 1998-99 season) Guilford is 22-24 against Hampden-Sydney College, although they are 21-12 in the Tom Palombo-era. including 5-3 since HS-C hired his former player, Caleb Kimbrough in 2019.

Guilford has won 8 of the last 11 meetings, including the past two, ending the Tigers' ODAC Tournament run last season before handing them their first loss of the year on December 2nd in the Ragan-Brown Field House, 80-71.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN DANCING QUAKERS?
... Because it turns out they are pretty good.

This is Guilford's seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament in the Palombo Era and they have a very strong track record against the nation's best. Despite never winning a national title under Palombo, the Quakers are 20-6 with this being their third trip to the National Semifinals (2009, 2010).

A GUILFORD WIN WOULD...
Be their first-ever trip to the DIII National Championship Game in the Palombo Era. He previously made the Semifinals in 2009 and 2010.

A GUILFORD LOSS WOULD...
Complete the Quakers most successful season 2010. ALSO, be Guilford's third-straight win over H-SC, making them responsible for three of the Tigers' last four losses dating back to last year.

CAREER STATS VS. H-SC
          - In eight career games vs. H-SC Tyler Dearman averages 14.0 points per game, shooting .371/.363/.724 in those games. He also averages 5.0 rebounds (1.4 offensive), and 1.9 steals in those games.

          - In three career games vs. H-SC, Luke Proctor averages 8.3 points, shooting .364/.666/.667, with 3.3 rebounds (1.0 offensive), and 1.0 assists.

          - In the matchup against H-SC in December, Rob Littlejohn scored a season-high 21 points, with 5 rebounds (3 offensive), 2 assists., and 1 steal. Recorded season-highs in: points, minutes, FG makes, 3PT makes, and 3PT attempts.

RECENT TRENDS
          - As a team, the Quakers are shooting .797 (224-281) since the calendar turned to 2024. In that span they have as many games in which they have shot better than .900 at the stripe than below .700 (4 each).

          -Julius Burch is averaging 11.6 rebounds, including 4.1 offensive rebounds, per game over his last eight games. In the NCAA Tournament, he is averaging 14.75 points, 12.0 rebounds (4.5 offensive), 3.75 assists, and 1.75 steals with two double-doubles in four games. Against CNU his 21 points were a season-high and second-most of his career (25 vs. Randolph, 12/1/21).

          - Caleb Farrish is averaging 10.2 points per game in postseason action (ODAC and NCAA Tournament) with a shooting line of .432/.550/1.000 (16-37/11-20/8-8) in that span. He has added 1.6 SPG.

          -This season in postseason play. Tyler Dearman is averaging 22.2 points per game with 5.8 rebounds (2.2 offensive), 3.2 assists, and 2.4 stelas. Excluding the CNU game, he is shooting .469 from the field (38-81) including .368 from three (14-38).

QUAKERS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
INDIVIDUAL: JULIUS BURCH
          - Total Rebounds- 13th (301)
          - Offensive Rebounds Per Game- 20th (3.70)
          - Total Rebounds Per Game- 32nd (10.0)
          - Minutes Per Game- 49th (35:04)
          - Double-Doubles- T-69th (9)
          - Defensive Rebounds Per Game- 84th (6.33)

INDIVIDUAL: TYLER DEARMAN
          - Field Goal Attempts- 4th (499)
          - Total Points- 10th (604)
          - Three-Point Attempts- 13th (226)
          - Steals- 14th (71
          - Total Field Goal Makes- 26th (200)
          - Free Throw Makes- 23rd (132)
          - Points Per Game - 43rd (20.1)
          - Steals Per Game- 38th (2.37)
          - Minutes Per Game- 60th (34:48)
          - Free Throw Percentage- 88th (83.5%)
          - Three-Pointers Per Game- 99th (2.40)

TEAM
          - Scoring Defense- 1st (56.1)
          - Winning Percentage- 7th (.867)
          - Field Goal Percentage Defense- 15th (.384)
          - Scoring Margin- 16th (+12.9)
          - Free Throw Percentage- 16th (.767)
          - Rebound Margin- 25th (+7.0)
          - Fouls Per Game- 25th (13.9)
          - Turnovers Per Game- 29nd (10.7)
          - Three-Point Percentage Defense- 33rd (.299)
          - Off. Rebounds Per Game- 54th (12.67)
          - Turnover Margin- 62nd (+2.6)

THIS SEASON VS. NCAA TOURNAMENT TEAMS
GUILFORD: 6-3
          Wins: 12/2 vs. Hampden-Sydney (80-71)
                    1/17 vs. Virginia Wesleyan (77-44)
                    3/1 vs. Berry (87-70)
                    3/2 vs. Penn. St. Harrisburg (76-59)
                    3/8 vs. Keene State (82-60)
                    3/9 vs. Christopher Newport (50-48)
         
          Loss:  1/13 vs. Randolph-Macon (65-61)
                    2/10 @ Virginia Wesleyan (68-62)
                    2/22 vs. Virginia Wesleyan (67-60)

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY: 12-2
          Wins: 11/8 vs. Christopher Newport (74-53)
                    11/17 vs. Widener (72-63)
                    12/8 @ Randolph-Macon (61-52)
                    12/14 vs. Swathmore (67-46)
                    12/19 vs. John Carroll (85-67)
                    1/31 vs. Virginia Wesleyan (77-54)
                    2/14 @. Virginia Wesleyan (71-47)
                    2/24 vs. Virginia Wesleyan (63-52)
                    3/1 vs. La Roche (98-61)
                    3/2 vs. Farmingdale State (72-51)
                    3/8 vs. Rowan (91-76)
                    3/9 vs. Nebraska Wesleyan (68-60) 

          Loss:  12/2 @ Guilford (80-71)
                    2/14 vs. Randolph-Macon (48-46)

QUAKERS' LAST TIME OUT- (CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT, 3/9/24)
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Sectional Championship Game of the 2024 NCAA Division-III Men's Basketball Tournament was everything it should have been. Hard-fought, emotional, and most of all, dramatic, as Tyler Dearman (Greensboro, N.C.) fought through contact to finish a right-handed layup with 2.3 seconds on the clock to lift the Guilford College men's basketball team to a thrilling, 50-48 victory over reigning National Champions, Christopher Newport on Saturday night at the Ragan-Brown Field House.

"He said he had us and he was going to help us get over the finish line," Julius Burch (Greensboro, N.C.) said. "And that is what he did… His one is a game winning shot. That is just Tyler Dearman. That is what he is. That is the character, that is what he gives."

That one Burch mentioned, that would be field goal makes by Dearman on the evening, but who cares, he made the one that matters. As he only finished with five points, but nonetheless lifted the Quakers to the National Semifinals with a 26-4 record. Meanwhile, the Captains' nine-game winning streak in the dance dating back to last year was halted as they finish the season 24-7.

"What was going through my head? It is about time he made a basket," Head Coach Tom Palombo said. "We just got the ball in Ty(ler)'s hands, set up a ball screen, just play off of it, and he made the right play."

Dearman may have stolen the spotlight, but it was Burch who stole the night, posting his highest point total since November of 2022 with a game-best 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He fell one carom shy of a double-double with nine boards plus three assists and two steals.

"(I was) getting downhill and attacking the space that I was given," Burch said. "A lot of teams back off of me so I use that to my advantage a little bit, allowing me to get downhill and play make for my teammates and myself. And again, tonight they were playing real tight denying passes to our guards. Running through screens really tight. So, I took it upon myself to attack the basket and attack that one-on-one matchup that they were leaving me."

Luke Proctor (Apex, N.C.) was the only other Quaker in double-figures making all four of his shot attempts from the field, including his lone three, and going 2-for-2 from the stripe on his way to 11 points.

"It is a dream come true," Proctor said of enjoying this alongside his brother Gabe Proctor (Apex, N.C.). "He is my best friend on the court, and off the court. Grew up together, playing a lot of one-on-one, fight all the time, (trash) talk each other back-and-forth… Like I said, a dream come true to play with him."

The Quakers may have scored a season-low 50 points, but they also withheld CNU to their lowest point total of the year and, contrary to conventional wisdom, GC is now 3-0 in their three lowest scoring games on the year.

"It was, like you said, a Guilford kind of game, 50-48, kind of our M.O.," Palombo said. "Playing really good defense, scraping and rebound. They are very good, very good defensively. It was two teams that (were) really just going at each other for 40 minutes."

Just because Dearman had his lowest scoring game since December, does not mean he was ineffective. He secured a game-high 12 rebounds, matching his career-best, and also was tied with Burch with a game-high three assists plus two steals.

Jahn Hines led the Captains, scoring 17 points, although he was limited some down the stretch with foul trouble. The only other player in double-figures for the guests was Toa Hollenbeck with 14 off the bench. Ethan Ward contributed six points and a team-high seven rebounds, also in reserve.

"Each and every individual in that locker room, they gave us everything they had. It was on full display," CNU Head Coach John Krikorian said. "Just a phenomenal game, team, and program in Guilford. We knew it was going to be a knockdown, drag out type of affair. We wanted to be in there, have a chance at the end, and that is exactly what these guys did."

The physicality was on full display from the opening tip with the game's opening tally coming from the charity stripe. Christopher Newport put up the game's initial three points before Luke Proctor cashed in a second-chance three to even the score. Things were still tied, now at nine-all, with 13-minutes left in the first half, before a Hines pullup jumper, a Hollenbeck trey, and a Ward second-chance layup, constituted of a 7-1 run for the guests. Proctor ended the stretch with a floater, igniting what ended up as the longest run for either side in the game. Rob Littlejohn (Columbus, Ohio) made an elbow jumper, Caleb Farrish (McLeansville, N.C.) buried a shot from distance, and Littlejohn hit a three of his own to make it a 10-0 run for the hosts. Tyson Henderson made a three and Burch made a pair from the stripe bring the totals to 22-19 into the locker room.

To say defenses ruled in the first half would be an understatement. The Captains' 19 points represented their lowest scoring output in any half of play this season while the Quakers' 22 was not much better, as their third-lowest scoring stanza. Both teams shot well below 30% with GC at 24% and CNU at 27.6%. the guests saw particular trouble from range, making just two of their 17 attempts while seven apiece from Burch and Proctor posted the hosts to a halftime advantage.

Compared to the first half, the second might as well have been a layup line. Burch opened the scoring with a turnaround jumper, with Christopher Newport countering by matching their longest scoring run of the night to that point to claim the lead. Proctor and Burch alternated the next four baskets for the Quakers then Gabe Proctor sunk a singular free throw on the other side of the under-12 media timeout giving GC the largest lead for either squad in the game.

Christopher Newport began to chip away. Hines got three points the old fashion way and Isaiah Dozier made a triple within a three-possession span with a Burch layup splitting the difference. A second-chance score by Burch led into CNU's best scoring run of the evening. Ward made a layup after an offensive board, Hollenbeck cashed in a three, and Hines made a pair at the line putting the Captains in the lead with just under six to play. A whole bunch of free throws ensued with the result being a four-point lead for CNU into the final media break. The Quakers closed the gap with two Burch freebees across two trips to the line, two from Dearman at the stripe, a basket from Farrish, plus two more free throws from him making the score 48-44 with 34 seconds left. A Hines layup, then a turnover on the inbounds left the door open for the visitors and they got halfway through the door, with Hollenbeck making two free throws to tie things, but that only ended up setting the stage for Dearman who made his first make of the night, be the biggest of his collegiate career. Hines' halfcourt heave at the buzzer fell short as the Guilford team and student body swarmed Jack Jensen Court with their first Sectional Championship since 2010.

TIGERS' LAST TIME OUT (NEBRASKA WESLEYAN, 3/9/24)
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Senior team captain Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) scored a game-high 22 points, including 12 points in the first 4:50 of the contest with four three-point field goals, to lead nationally-ranked No. 1 Hampden-Sydney College to a 68-60 home win past No. 19 Nebraska Wesleyan University in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship on Saturday night in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium at Kirby Field House. Senior Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) added 12 points, while fifth-year Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) and senior team captain Josiah Hardy (Ashburn) each finished with 10 points for the Tigers, who led 36-26 at halftime and improved to a school-record 30-2 overall while advancing to the Final Four on March 14-16 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

H-SC will play fellow Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) member and No. 7 Guilford (NC) College in a national semifinal on Thursday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m. Guilford is also the alma mater of Tigers' head coach Caleb Kimbrough, who played four years at Guilford and coached six years with the Quakers—all under his mentor, friend and veteran head coach Tom Palombo—who he'll face again in Fort Wayne. It's just the third Final Four appearance in program history for the Garnet & Grey and the first since 2003. GC (26-4) advanced to the Final Four with a 50-48 home win past No. 23 Christopher Newport on Saturday night in Greensboro, North Carolina. It's the second time in ODAC history that two member schools have advanced to the Final Four (2010).

"What an unbelievable moment tonight on our home court," said Kimbrough. "A moment we were able to share with our community, our students, and our fans. Doesn't get much better than pouring into something you love, with the people you love, and seeing the hard work pay off. This group is special. Not done yet."

H-SC jumped out to an early 17-3 advantage just 5:52 into the contest played before a near-capacity crowd of 1,127 as Brazil connected on 4-5 three-pointers, scoring 12 points in the first 4:50. He started the contest with a triple and Hubbard followed with one of his own, before Brazil made three-straight on three possessions that had the crowd in a frenzy ahead of a timeout. Freshman Blake Wilson (Charlottesville) (off the bench) added a layup at 11:30 for a 19-5 margin, before NWU scored eight unanswered points to make it 19-13 at 8:17. A fast break layup by Clements pushed the lead back to double-digits at 27-17 with 4:48 left in the half, and five-straight points from sophomore Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) (off the bench), including an old-fashioned three-point play, had the Tigers ahead 32-20 at 3:54. Brazil made 2-2 free throws with nine-seconds remaining to provide for the 36-26 halftime advantage, finishing the opening 20 minutes with 14 points.

H-SC continued its momentum to begin the second half, expanding the margin to 45-29 as Hardy scored six quick points and Hubbard added a free throw and a basket inside, assisted by Brazil. The Tigers took their largest lead of the contest at 51-32 with 12:57 on the clock after another basket down low by Hardy. NWU tried to rally back and was able to close to within 52-44 at 9:28 after quick 12-1 run, but Brazil stopped it with another three-pointer at 9:15 (55-44) and the Garnet & Grey was able to maintain a double-digit lead for most of the remainder of the contest … leading 57-45 at 8:35 after a pair of free throws by Clements … 59-48 following a slam dunk by Hubbard off a nice assist from Clements … 65-53 at 2:33 after two free throws by Hardy. The Prairie Wolves did close at the end with seven late points, but Brazil made 3-4 free throws to provide for the final margin of victory.

Brazil led H-SC with his game-high 22 points, including 5-12 three-pointers and 7-8 free throws, adding four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Hubbard finished with his 12 points for the Tigers, adding four assists to tie his career-high, along with a game-high three steals, as well. Hardy and Clements each contributed their respective 10 points, with Hardy adding a game-high and career-high 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season and fifth of his career, while Clements added three assists. Fernald had five points, four rebounds and three assists, senior Alex Elliott (Marietta, GA) grabbed seven rebounds. H-SC shot 41% (23-56) from the field, including 26% (6-23) on three-pointers, and 76% (16-21) at the free throw line.

Carter Glenn led NWU with 17 points and a game-high nine assists. Peter Lash had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Prairie Wolves. NWU shot 39% (22-57) from the field, including 24% (5-21) on three-pointers, and 58% (11-19) at the line. The Prairie Wolves complete their season with a final record of 26-5.

LAST MATCHUP (GUILFORD VS. HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, 12/2/23)
The 11th-ranked Guilford College men's basketball team opened the Old Dominion Athletic Conference schedule against preseason favorite and 2nd-ranked Hampden-Sydney College. A strong evening from behind the three-point line while crashing the boards, the Quakers were able to topple the Tigers, 80-71.

"Just a huge team effort, and team win tonight," said head coach Tom Palombo. "I couldn't be prouder of what they did out there."

Leading the way for the Quakers was Rob Littlejohn with 21 points as he went 6-10 from the field with four of them coming from distance.

Out of the gate, Guilford (6-0, 1-0) jumped out to an 8-0 lead with threes from Littlejohn and Luke Proctor. Hampden-Sydney (5-1, 1-1) got its offense going and with a three of its own, tied the game at 17 with 12:19 on the clock.

The Quakers went on another 8-0 run with two three-point makes off the hand of Littlejohn. The long ball kept falling for the home squad as Littlejohn and Gabe Proctor made two more to open an 11-point advantage (31-20) with 6:57 left in the first.

Being ranked second in the nation for a reason, the Tigers clawed back and cut the deficit to five (31-26) with over a minute left. Tyler Dearman made two free throws late to hold a 33-26 edge going into the locker room.

In the second half, the heavyweight battle commenced as both teams went back-and-forth. Two made shots by Hampden-Sydney's Davidson Hubbard pulled the visiting side within four (42-38).

As the Tigers' fan base started to get loud, Gabe Proctor nailed a deep three-point shot to ignite the Guilford fans in the Ragan-Brown Field House. The seesaw affair continued until the Quakers scored nine of the next 12 points to go ahead 59-48 with 9:22 left in regulation.

The Tigers continued to battle back and were able to knock down the difference to five (64-59). With 3:45 on the clock, Dearman stole the ball at midcourt, drove to the basket, spun and laid the ball in drawing a foul and completed a three-point play.

Down the stretch, Hampden-Sydney kept trying to cut down the margin but free throws became vital. Over the final 90-plus seconds, Guilford went 8-11 from the line and secured the nine-point victory.

"We knew they would just keep coming at us and we couldn't let up," Palombo said. "They're a pretty good team," he said of Hampden-Sydney. "But you know we've got a pretty good team too. We showed that tonight."

Dearman finished the evening with 19 points with six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Both Luke and Gabe Proctor finished with double-digit points with 12 and 11, respectively. The Quakers also won the rebounding margin, 33-24, with 17 offensive boards compared to six for the Tigers.

COACHES
Head coach Tom Palombo is in his 21st season leading the Quakers' men's basketball program and 33rd total as a collegiate head coach. The all-time winningest coach in program history after surpassing Jack Jensen early this season, Palombo now stands with 395 wins as Guilford's head coach and he has led them to the NCAA Tournament now seven times.

A Guilford alumnus in the class of 2008 playing under Coach Palombo, Caleb Kimbrough is in his fifth season coaching Hampden-Sydney. After playing in Greensboro, he spent six seasons as a Quakers' assistant and one at Washington & Lee before being the head coach for Huntingdon (AL) College then landing the job to coach the Tigers. He entered this season with a career record of 52-35.

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