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This is the sixth year at Hampden-Sydney College for head coach Caleb Kimbrough. And after Saturday, he can lay claim to a career win total in the triple digits. The Tigers beat Eastern Mennonite University 75-44, giving Kimbrough his 100th win. After Saturday, Kimbrough’s record stands at 100-41. 

“A lot of people contributed to 100 wins over the past several years,” Kimbrough said. “I am very thankful to have worked with so many people committed to H-SC and this basketball program. Special shout out to (associate head coach) Bryson Gibson who has been with me the whole time. Also, a shout out to my wife Marlee and our kids, Nash, Rae and Shep, who always welcome me home regardless of the result.”

Junior forward and team captain Shane Fernald scored 11 points, while All-American fifth-year guard and third-year team captain Adam Brazil  added 10 points to lead the Tigers to a blowout road win in Harrisonburg. Senior guard Nick Shryock added nine points and a career-high and game-high 11 rebounds, as the Tigers led 34-17 at halftime on the strength of a 16-0 first-half run, then had a 14-0 run in the second half toward their seventh consecutive win. 

The Caleb Kimbrough coaching record

As mentioned earlier, Kimbrough is now 100-41 overall at Hampden-Sydney, including an ODAC record of 55-24. His 100 wins rank sixth all-time at H-SC, while his .709 winning percentage ranks second all-time on the Hill. Caleb is 70-13 over the past two-plus seasons, including 31-3 in 2023-24 and 22-7 in 2022-23, leading the program to back-to-back NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, including a record 11th ODAC Tournament Championship and a National Runner-Up finish a year ago. He is now 126-81 overall in his ninth year as a collegiate head coach.

H-SC, ranked No. 8 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25, fell behind early at EMU, trailing 8-0 at 16:07 after a three-point field goal by Carr, and it was a 10-2 deficit at 15:24. The Tigers, however, scored 16 unanswered points to lead 18-10 with 8:37 remaining in the opening half … getting a three-pointer from Shryock to start the run and a coast-to-coast layup from Shryock to close the run. The Garnet & Grey continued their momentum, extending the half-ending run to 32-7 to lead 34-17 at halftime aided by another three-pointer from McGowan along with a three-pointer by junior transfer guard and team captain Colin Radcliffe off the bench, as well.

EMU, specifically Carr, scored the first five points of the second half to close to within 34-22 at 18:42, but Hampden-Sydney responded with 14 unanswered points to take complete control-leading 48-22 with 13:24 left to play. The Royals managed to get to within 50-30 at 11:36, but a quick 10-4 run pushed the Tigers’ margin to 60-34 with 6:29 remaining, and the visitors enjoyed their largest lead at 75-41 with just under a minute on the clock. 

Breaking down the numbers

H-SC shot 45% (28-62) from the field, including 36% (8-22) on three-pointers, and 65% (11-17) at the free throw line. The Tigers enjoyed a 34-14 advantage in points scored in the paint, a 31-8 advantage in bench points and a 17-0 advantage in second chance points, out-rebounding EMU 57-27 with 18 offensive rebounds. EMU shot 26% (15-58) from the field, including 24% (7-29) on three-pointers, and 50% (7-14) at the line. The 44 points are the fewest allowed by the Tigers this season, while the 26% shooting from the field is the lowest against the Garnet & Grey this season, as well.

Up next for Caleb Kimbrough and the Tigers

H-SC returns home to welcome ODAC member and No. 25 Virginia Wesleyan University on Wednesday night, February 5, at 7 p.m. in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. It will be a “Banner Blackout” as the program will unveil the 2024 ODAC Tournament Championship banner and everyone is encouraged to wear black attire. As a reminder, it’s free admission for all regular season home athletic contests at the College.