ASHLAND, Va. - The Randolph-Macon College men's basketball team made a furious second half comeback, but fell short in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
The Basics:
Score: #15 Christopher Newport 59, #4 Randolph-Macon 57
Venue: Ashland, Va. // Crenshaw Gym // Randolph-Macon College
Records: Randolph-Macon (27-4, 14-2 ODAC), Christopher Newport (24-5, 0-0 C2C)
How it Happened:
- Randolph-Macon got off to a slow start in the first half, as Christopher Newport opened up a 16-6 lead with 13:41 on the clock. The Yellow Jackets had three different players score in the opening seven minutes. Amr Areikat (Ramallah, Palestine./Langley) knocked down two free throws to bring the Lemon and Black within two possessions at 19-14 with 7:16 left in the first half. The Captains grew their lead to double-digits again with 2:32 left in the half, leading 31-20. Ethan Ward finished the half with two free throws to give Christopher Newport a 35-21 lead at halftime.
- In the second half, Randolph-Macon was on fire and outscored the Captains 19-4 in the opening eight minutes. Theo Antinori (Asheville, N.C./Rabun Gap) made a jumper to give the Yellow Jackets the lead at 40-39 with 12:31 on the clock. The Lemon and Black were led in scoring by Jabril Robinson (Rockville, Md./South Kent Prep) with five points, as the team shot 8-for-10 in the stretch. Christopher Newport used free throws to take the lead back 43-40 with just over ten minutes left in regulation. The teams traded baskets for the next few minutes and the Captains held the small three point lead. Ariekat scored three straight points and tied up the game at 49-49 with 7:47 left on the clock. Keishawn Pulley Jr. (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's School) nailed the first three of the entire game to shoot the Yellow Jackets into the lead at 52-51 with 5:20 left in the game. Areikat kept bringing the Lemon and Black back, making a lay-up with 1:48 on the clock and tied up the game at 56-56. Christopher Newport connected with three straight points by Ward, taking a 59-57 lead with seconds left. Randolph-Macon got the last shot off to try to send the game to overtime, the shot went off the front of the rim and the Captains won the game 59-57.
Inside the Numbers:
- Randolph-Macon shot 40.0 percent from the floor, as Christopher Newport knocked down 50.0 percent of its shots.
- The Captains outrebounded the Yellow Jackets 36-to-25 in the entire game.
- Areikat led the Yellow Jackets in scoring with 15 points. The senior added three rebounds and one assist.
- Liam Joyce (Allentown, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) scored eight points, pulled down four rebounds and blocked a shot.
- Doran Clausell (Washington, D.C./Banneker) and Robinson both ended the game with seven points each.
For the Record:
- Pulley Jr. tied Todd Bowden '89 for 18th on the all-time scoring list with 1,341 points. The senior also tied Bowden for second in career three pointers made with 229.
- Robinson passed Kurt Bergmann '04 and Danny Jones '11 for 25th all-time in career scoring with 1,280.
