York and Christopher Newport Post Home Wins, Advance to NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Second Round
York and Christopher Newport each defended their home courts in round one of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday, advancing to Saturday's second round.
On Friday afternoon, 11th-ranked York defeated Yeshiva 81-67 at Wolf Gymnasium behind 24 points and six rebounds from Matt Scamuffo. Dalton Myers added 18 points and eight boards for the Spartans, while Blayde Reich nearly double-doubled with 10 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals. It marked the Spartans' first NCAA Tournament victory in 12 years, with the most recent NCAA win coming in 2006 against York (N.Y.) in the first round.
No. 13 Hamilton downed Nazareth 86-72 in the other first-round matchup in York. Hamilton (23-4) and York (24-4) will meet at 7 p.m. on Saturday with a spot in the Sweet 16 at stake.
On Friday night, Christopher Newport junior guard Tyler Femi drained a three-pointer from the left wing in the final seconds - his only field goal of the night - to propel the Captains past Lancaster Bible 68-65 in first-round action at the Freeman Center. Aaron McFarland led the Captains throughout the contest with a game-high 24 points along with six rebounds.
With the win, the Captains (22-6) advance to Saturday's second round, where they will meet Franklin & Marshall (21-6) for the first time ever at 7 p.m. The Diplomats advanced Friday at the Freeman Center with a 73-59 victory over Emory & Henry.
The victory was CNU's 18th all-time win in NCAA play. This is Christopher Newport's 22nd appearance in the tournament, and third straight. The Captains made it to the Sweet 16 last year and the Final Four in 2015-2016.