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Eight times. Counting this year, that’s how often Hampden-Sydney College has made it to the Sweet 16 in the Division III NCAA Tournament. This time around, that was where the season ended for the No. 10 ranked Tigers, as they lost Friday on the road to No. 15 ranked University of Redlands 83-72. 

Playing at the John A. Paulson Center on the campus of New York University, it was a battle back and forth throughout, with the teams trading leads. The Tigers trailed 44-31 at halftime and 66-40 with 12:02 remaining, before a late rally fell just short, as the Garnet & Grey used a 28-9 run to close to within 75-68 at 2:44. The Tigers got another stop on the defensive end, but Adam Brazil’s three-point attempt at the other end was in-and-out. Then the Bulldogs secured their win with 6-14 free throws over the final 2:19. 

It was fifth-year All-American guard and third-year team captain Brazil leading the way, as he scored a game-high 18 points for the Tigers, adding five assists. Meanwhile, junior forward and team captain Shane Fernald had 17 points, including 14 in the second half, and six rebounds for Hampden-Sydney, which ended their season with a record of 23-6. 

“What an incredible season,” said sixth-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. “This team showed amazing fight all year long led by our seniors, Ayman, Nick, Adam and Payton. Tonight wasn’t our night, but the culture that has been built with Tiger basketball is lasting. It hurts to lose; but that’s because these guys pour their heart and soul into it. We are so thankful for the young men on this team and their families.”

Looking at the Hampden-Sydney season 

As mentioned, Hampden-Sydney completes the season with a final overall record of 23-6, and this marks the third-straight year with 20-plus wins. It’s also the 18th 20-win season in program history-the first time since 1996-99 that the Tigers have accomplished three consecutive 20-win campaigns, including 22-7 in 2022-23 and 31-3 last season when finishing as the National Runner-Up. The Garnet & Grey were also ranked among the D3hoops.com Top 10 for the final 11 weeks of the season, and were No. 11 in the final NCAA Power Index (NPI).H-SC could return as many as 16 team members for 2025-26.

Hampden-Sydney has made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances since 1989, winning at least one game in 14 of the 17 years, while compiling an overall NCAA Tournament record of 27-18. The Tigers have advanced to the Sweet 16 eight times, including in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2024 and 2025.

Adam Brazil completes his career as the only Tiger in the 115-year history of the program ranked among the Top 10 in career points, assists, steals, three-pointers and games played. Adam is ninth in scoring with 1,586 career points in 122 career games, fifth in career assists with 390 and 10th in career steals with 151 … while his 240 career three-pointers and 122 career games are both believed to be among the Top Five all-time, as well.