Ephs Fall to Christopher Newport in NCAA Sweet 16 Game - Williams College (2024)

Maya Singh

• Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 3/8/2024 8:09:00 PM

Greensboro, NC — From 14:00 to 9:19 in the second half Williams and Christopher Newport were locked in a stalemate, with the score at 39-35 in favor of Christopher Newport (24-6). The defenses had dialed up to 10. Williams (23-7) had one of the strongest defenses in the nation this season and last year's champion Christopher Newport was undoubtedly formidable on that end of the floor.

The Ephs tried everything to break through: threes, drives, post looks, short jumpers. Their next points would come from somewhere they may not have expected. Hudson Hansen, who scores most of his points slashing to the basket, found himself open in the corner and buried a three, bringing the deficit to just two.

For the Ephs' next points, Brandon Arnold was fouled pulling down an offensive board. He nailed both shots to knot the game up at 40-all. However, the Captains found a way to open up their offense too and they pushed ahead.

Toa Hollenbeck scored through contact with an acrobatic layup. He missed his free throw, but center Ian Anderson came down with the offensive board and was rewarded after a couple passes with an easy reverse layup.

The Ephs Nate Karren scored one at the line. Isaiah Dozier drove baseline, finishing a tough bank layup with his left. 46-41 Christopher Newport. Cole Prowitt-Smith and Anderson both scored once at the free throw line. Though the Ephs faced a 5-point deficit, they were still very much in the game with six minutes to play.

The Captains leading scorer Jahn Hines added a little more to the lead, going 1-for-2 twice at the stripe. After having some trouble getting a field goal, Brandon Roughley scored a big-time bucket for the Ephs, finishing through contact and knocking down his free throw.

Christopher Newport led 49-45, and the Ephs had 3:20 to get back in the game. Unfortunately, Toa Hollenbeck, who'd already scored four impactful points in the half, came hard off a screen and buried a three to push the lead back up to seven.

The Ephs needed to score but the Captains were playing tremendous defensive. Isaiah Dozier picked up full court, forcing an over-and-back for a turnover. Jahn Hines got fouled again, bringing the deficit to eight. The Ephs fouled on the rebound and Ian Anderson made one. The score was now 54-45.

Williams made their best effort to get back in the game, going for threes and attacking the paint, but the lead proved to be too steep. Brandon Roughley had one, Sammy Cooley had one, and Alex Lee had two in the final two minutes of play. Christopher Newport claimed a 60-49 win.

At the beginning of play, both teams had a hard time figuring out their opponent. First it was the Captains turn to stump the Ephs. Collin Hines came away with the opening tip and sprinted straight to the rim for a dunk. Isaiah Dozier followed up Hines' shocking start with a completely open look at three, bringing the score to 5-0.

Nate Karren scored the Ephs' first points, burying a long ball of his own. Jahn Hines made the next basket for Christopher Newport, cutting across the lane from right to left and finishing with his inside hand.

Karren continued his effort, spinning over his left to kiss one off the glass. Both defenses picked up, and the teams were only able to score from the line. The Captains center Ian Anderson had two, and Hudson Hansen scored two for the Ephs.

After a bit of a stalemate, the momentum seemed to shift in the Ephs' favor, and they went on a seven minute, 17-8 run. Cole Prowitt-Smith sank a free throw line jumper for two. Brandon Arnold was left open on the perimeter and dropped in a triple. Brandon Roughley went to work in the post, scoring from the line and with a hook shot.

The Captains found some energy again, as Tyson Henderson converted for three and Jahn Hines scored an and-one layup. The Ephs shot back with threes from Cole Prowitt-Smith and Alex Stoddard. Hansen passed off to Alex Lee, who hesitated and then blew by his defender, finishing despite being contested on the layup.

The end of the first half was all Christopher Newport. They generated their points by attacking the paint, finishing a midrange, alley-oop, layup, and kickout three for 9 in a row. Alex Lee and Sammy Cooley had two apiece to close out the half, but Collin Hines and Tyson Henderson matched the Ephs' scoring with a dunk and pullup, The score was 30-28 Christopher Newport at the half.

In the second half the Captains maintained their edge but the Ephs stayed even until Collin Hines had three from the line, Jahn Hines had four with two baskets and Toa Hollenbeck had a layup.

The loss concludes a memorable 23-7 season for the Ephs that featured a trip to both the NESCAC finals and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

After the game Eph head coach Kevin App said, "We knew today was going to be a defensive battle. I was proud of how we competed and put ourselves in position to find a way against a tough opponent like Christopher Newport. Unfortunately, we came up a bit short in the second half.

"The sting of defeat is real at the moment. You don't think the season will end, and you definitely don't want the journey to stop. However, I told the team that this was one of the most rewarding seasons and connected groups I've been around in my career. I'm incredibly proud of their successes on the court and the way they represented Williams College and our program.

"I can't thank the five seniorsenough for their impact on me, their teammates, and our program. They are a specialgroup of young men that we will miss being around daily, but can't wait to watch them keep growing and impacting those around them."