Redlands men’s basketball team advances to NCAA Division III Tournament quarterfinals – San Bernardino Sun

The finish was far from a masterpiece, but a historic season for the University of Redlands men’s basketball team will continue.

Kendrick Currey scored 15 points to lead a balanced attack, as the Bulldogs withstood a late charge from Hampden-Sydney and escaped with an 83-72 win in an NCAA Division III Tournament third-round game Friday at New York University’s Paulson Center.

Redlands (25-4) advanced to Division III quarterfinals (Elite Eight) for the first time in program history. The Bulldogs, who were an at-large entry into the tournament, will play No. 1-ranked New York University or Hardin-Simmons on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PDT.

The Bulldogs showed off their depth, as all 10 players on its roster scored at least one point Friday. Chozen Amadi finished with 14 points, Omari Ferguson scored 13 and Dayvon Gates added 12. Jake Hlywiak and Donovan Ware scored nine points apiece.

Friday afternoon’s game started as a back-and-forth affair, as the teams traded the lead 10 times in the first 8 minutes of action.

Redlands used a 10-0 run during the first half to surge ahead, and the Bulldogs added a 15-0 run over the final 3 minutes of the opening half and first 3 minutes of the second half to extend the lead. Redlands led by as many 26 (66-40 with 12 minutes left).

Hampden-Sydney (23-6) did not go away quietly. The Tigers went on a 25-8 run over a span of 9 minutes to trim the deficit to a single digit. Adam Brazil’s 3-pointer with 2:42 left got Hampden-Sydney within 75-68, but that’s as close as the Tigers would get.

Redlands made things interesting, however. The Bulldogs made only 10 of 24 shots at the free-throw line during the second half, with several misses coming in the final 4 minutes. Currey did sink at pair with 10 seconds left to put the final touches on the win.