The Hampton Inn Basketball Classic at UMass Dartmouth

Sponsored by the Hampton Inn of Wesport and Fairhaven along with Lafrance Hospitality, the Hampton Inn Classic is a season-opening collegiate basketball tournament hosted by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. For the first nine years the tournament featured the men's basketball Corsairs against strong fields of NCAA Division III teams from across the nation. In 2008 the tournament was expanded for the first timm to include the UMass Dartmouth women's basketball program. 

Below is a complete history of both the men's and women's Hampton Inn Basketball Classics.  For more information on the 2011 tournament, check out the main Hampton Inn link on the UMass Dartmouth web page. Complete results and more information about the tournament
can be found at the UMass Dartmouth men's basketball web page.

Hampton Inn Men's Basketball Classic History --  1999-2010

2011 Hampton Inn Classic Review

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's basketball team fell to visiting Bowdoin, 66-61, in the championship game of the Hampton Inn Classic at the Tripp Athletic Center Saturday.

Senior center Lance Greene (Dorchester, MA/Charlestown HS/UMass Lowell) led the Corsairs offensively with a double-double. Greene had a team-high 21 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, shooting 5-of-14 from the field and 11-of-14 from the free throw line. Freshman forward Alex Kershaw (Stoughton, MA/Oliver Ames HS/Tilton Prep) added 11 points and four rebounds, while sophomore Eleazar Clayton (Boston, MA/East Boston HS/Monroe CC) scored 10 points with seven rebounds in the loss. The Corsairs shot 29.9% (20-of-67) from the floor, including 25% (4-of-16) from three-point range and 85% (17-of-20) from the free throw line.

Bowdoin senior forward Will Hanley netted a game-high 24 points with a team-high 15 rebounds during the contest. Senior guard Ryan O'Connell (Ipswich, MA/St. John's Prep) scored 16 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the floor. Sophomore guard Andrew Madlinger (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge HS) and freshman guard Bryan Hurley (Watertown, MA/Boston College HS) each tallied 10 points in the win. The Polar Bears were 50% (22-of-44) from the floor, 69.2% (9-of-13) from three-pointer range and 72.2% (13-of-18) from the free-throw line.

Bowdoin maintained their lead during the opening minutes of the second half, but Greene made two consecutive buckets to pull UMD to within six, 40-34. The Polar Bears orchestrated another run, a 15-5 effort over a six minute span, fueled by five points from Hanley. The Corsairs pulled back into the game again, with a 12-2 run of their own, paced by eight points from freshman guard Jake Laga (Northampton, MA/Northampton HS), making the score 57-51 with 4:52 on the clock. A three-pointer from O'Connell and a pair of free throws from Madlinger regained a double-digit lead for Bowdoin. UMD closed the game on a 8-2 run, but failed to provide enough offense to cut into their deficit, ultimately falling to the Polar Bears, 66-61.

Hanley was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He was joined by Maine-Farmington sophomore guard Yusaf Iman (Auburn, ME/Edward Little HS), Mount Saint Vincent senior guard Jon Moore (Cleveland, OH/Collingwood HS), Greene, O'Connell, and Madlinger on the All-Tournament Team.

2010 Hampton Inn Classic Review

Middlebury tops Corsairs to take 2010 Hampton Inn crown

Visiting Middlebury shot 52.7 per cent from the field, took a 13-point halftime lead and went on to defeat the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's basketball team, 86-62, in the championship game of the Hampton Inn Classic at the Tripp Athletic Center Saturday. The Panthers, ranked ninth in the nation in the d3hoops.com pre-season poll, led, 32-27 with 5:15 left in the first half before outscoring UMass Dartmouth, 12-4 the rest of the way to lead by 13 at the intermission. A 12-6 run midway through the second half gave Middlebury a 67-44 lead with 9:57 left, and the Corsairs never got closer than 20 points after that. After falling behind early, 16-5, the Corsairs scored the next seven points, getting layups from junior guard Alex Klepadlo (Bernardston, MA/Pioneer Valley HS) and junior guard Paul RoseColin Burns (Chepachet, RI/Ponaganset HS/CCRI) to make it 16-12. The Panthers replied with an 11-2 run that included a pair of jump shots by sophomore forward Peter Lynch (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) and a three-pointer by sophomore guard Nolan Thompson (Akron, OH/University School) to make it 25-14 with 9:46 left. An 8-0 UMD run, featuring a three-pointer and a layup by senior forward Brandon Stephens (Dorchester, MA/Newton North HS) sandwiched around Rose's trey, cut the lead to three points at 25-22, but the Corsairs could come no closer. (Boston, MA/North Cambridge Catholic HS/Mass Bay CC) and a three-pointer from junior forward

Freshman guard Jon Pavao (Fall River, MA/Durfee HS) led UMass Dartmouth with 16 points off the bench, while Stephens added 13. Senior forward Ryan Wholey (Pelham, NH/Bishop Guertin HS) led Middlebury with 21 points, junior forward Ryan Sharry (Braintree, MA/BC High School) had 15, and Thompson added 10. Junior center Justin Pulver (Plymouth, MA/Falmouth HS/Johnson & Wales) led UMass Dartmouth with six rebounds. Sharry had 11 for the Panthers, who out rebounded the Corsairs, 42-27. Stephens represented UMass Dartmouth on the All-Tournament Team. Middlebury's Sharry took MVP honors, and he was joined by teammates Wholey and senior center Andrew Locke (Seattle, WA/Lakeside School), junior guard Chris Beauchamp (Glendale, NY/Xavier HS) of Baruch and senior guard Isaiah Braithwaite (Farmington, ME/Mt. Blue HS) of Thomas. Baruch defeated Thomas for third place, 80-77.

2009 Hampton Inn Classic Review

Wheelock is surprise winner of Men's Hampton Inn title

In a Hampton Inn Classic full of surprises, a third year program pulled the biggest surprise
of all.  The Wheelock Wildcats hoisted the men's basketball tournament championship trophy
following a 68-63 victory over the University of New England Nor'easters at the Tripp Athletic
Center Saturday afternoon. Wildcat senior forward Sherard Robbins (Malden, Mass./Malden HS)
earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player award, while teammate sophomore guard Max
Kaim (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cypress Bay HS) was named to the all-tournament team.  The
Nor'easters also had two players receive individual honors, as sophomore guard Victor
Oruonyehu (Austin, Texas/Crockett HS) and sophomore forward Quentin Thompson
(Austin, Texas/William B. Travis HS) were named to the all-tournament team. After defeating
#8 ranked UMass Dartmouth on Friday night, the Nor'easters became the presumptive favorites
for the championship.  In the first half, they lived up to the billing, nailing seven three pointers and
carrying a 34-29 lead into halftime.Wheelock Head Coach John Preziosa told his team at halftime
that they had to change the game's pace in order to win.  "We made our adjustments at half,"
Preziosa said.  "We wanted to get away from the transition, and we wanted to shut these guys
into a half court set, and it seemed to work.  We knew if we stopped giving up second chance
points, we'd be OK." The Wildcats tipped the scales in the second half when back to back
layups by Kaim and junior forward Dan Main (Hopedale, Mass./Hopedale HS) erased a 47-43
deficit and tied the game with 9:13 to play.  Moments later, with the game tied at 49, Main
scored the next four points to give the Wildcats the lead for good.  UMass Dartmouth's
Jeff Macchi and Springfield's Matt Cavalieri were named to the All-Tournament team. Wheelock
senior forward Sherard Robbins (Malden, Mass./Malden HS) earned the tournament's Most
Valuable Player award, while teammate sophomore guard Max Kaim (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./
Cypress Bay HS) was named to the all-tournament team. The University of New England
also had two players receive individual honors, as sophomore guard Victor Oruonyehu
(Austin, Texas/Crockett HS) and sophomore forward Quentin Thompson (Austin, Texas/
William B. Travis HS) were named to the all-tournament team. 

2008 Hampton Inn Classic Review

UMass Dartmouth wins another Hampton Inn title

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's men's basketball team scored 10 of the game's
first 11 points, raced to a 14-point lead midway through the first half and went on to defeat
visiting Coast Guard, 66-44 in the championship game of the Hampton Inn Classic at the
Tripp Athletic Center Sunday afternoon. UMass Dartmouth ran and pressed from the outset,
and scored five of their first six baskets on fast break layups. Junior guard Jeff Macchi
(Franklin, MA/Franklin HS) made three of them, then sophomore forward Brandon Shelton
(Cambridge, MA/Cambridge Rindge & Latin HS/UMass Lowell) hit a three-pointer and added
a jumper to give the Corsairs a 17-3 lead with 12:58 left in the first half.  Walker led all scorers
with 17 points, and added six rebounds and four assists, and was named the Hampton Inn
Classic's Most Valuable Player. Macchi added 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and
joined Walker as a member of the All-Tournament Team. Macchi and senior point guard
Reece Freeman (Cambridge, MA/Cambridge Rindge & Latin HS) each had six steals as
the Corsairs used 14 steals to force 25 Coast Guard turnovers. Craig Johnson led the
Bears with 15 points and 12 rebounds for a double double, while Jevon James had nine
points and 11 rebounds. Both Johnson and James also made the All-Tournament Team,
along with Duncan Szeliga of Colby-Sawyer and Josue Almovodar of Framingham State.

2007 Hampton Inn Classic Review

Husson falls in HIBC finals to Corsairs, 77-59

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's basketball team struggled offensively
in the first half of their game against visiting Husson for the championship of the annual
Hampton Inn Classic at the Tripp Athletic Center Saturday afternoon. So, in the second
half, they emphasized defense. Sophomore guard V.J. Divine (Brookline, MA/Brookline HS)
entered the game at the start of the second half to help turn up the defensive pressure, the
Corsairs turned two steals into fast break layups by sophomore guard Jeff Macchi
(Franklin, M/Franklin HS) and Reece Freeman (Cambridge, MA/Rindge & Latin HS)
and used them to start a 14-2 run that gave them the lead for good, and went on to defeat
the Eagles, 77-59 to earn their second consecutive Hampton Inn Classic title and the sixth
in the 10-year history of the tournament.  Holbrook led all scorers with 20 points, grabbing
14 rebounds for a double double. He made eight of 16 shots from the field, earned the
Most Valuable Player award for the second year in a row, and became the first player in
tournament history to win the MVP award twice. Freshman Brandon Stephens
(Dorchester, MA/Newton North HS) added 17 points, Macchi had 12 and Freeman added
10. Macchi, who led UMass Dartmouth Friday night with 18 points againstAlbertus Magnus,
joined Holbrook on the All-Tournament Team. The Corsairs made 61.3 per cent of their
shots from the field in the second half after shooting 30.6 per cent in the opening half,
and limited Husson to 28 per cent after intermission after the Eagles made 50 per cent
of their shots in the first half. Fabian Figueroa led Husson with 12 points and Brock
Bradford added 11. Bradford and Sheraud Lee of the Eagles also made the All-Tournament
Team, which also included Justin Morris of Albertus Magnus and Matt Abbott of Wentworth.

2006 Hampton Inn Classic Review:

Corsairs defeats Wesleyan, 84-77, for HIBC crown

For the first time in three years, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's
basketball team is the champion of the Hampton Inn Classic.  UMass Dartmouth used
a 14-3 run midwaythrough the second half to take command, and then held off a late
rally to defeat Wesleyan, 84-77, at the Tripp Athletic Center Saturday afternoon. With
the victory, the Corsairs earned the tournament title for the first time in three years and
the ifth time in the eight-year history of the tournament. Senior forward Stephane Abelard
(Brockton, MA/Brockton HS/Massasoit CC) began the run when he grabbed an offensive
rebound, drew a foul and made two free throws. Freshman guard Jeff Macchi (Franklin, MA/
Franklin HS) followed with a jumper, Abelard hit another, junior guard A.J. Tavares
(New Bedford, MA/New Bedford HS) connected from three-point range, freshman forward
Matt Walker (Brockton, MA/Brockton HS) hit a jump shot, and freshman guard Tyler
Turtoro (Shelton, CT/Shelton HS) capped the run with another trey. Abelard led UMD with
14 points, senior center Dan Holbrook (Lexington, MA/Lexington HS/Westfield State)
added 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Walker contributed 12, and Maiorano and
Tavares had 11 points apiece. Kelly of the Cardinals led all scorers with 20 points, Jared
Ashe added 17, Nick Pelletier added 14, and Jeremy Kaminer had 12. Ashe grabbed 11
rebounds and Pelletier had 10 as each team finished with 40 rebounds.  Holbrook, who
had 15 points in UMass Dartmouth's victory Friday night, was named the tournament's
Most Valuable Player. Abelard joined him on the All-Tournament team, as did Pelletier
and Kelly, Suffolk's John Murphy and Andrew Vayo of Fitchburg State.

2005 Hampton Inn Classic Review:

Catholic University knocks off Corsairs for HIBC title

Catholic University built a 19-point lead midway through the first half and defeated
the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's men's basketball team, 75-58 in the
championship game of the Hampton Inn Classic at the Tripp Athletic Center at
UMass Dartmouth Saturday afternoon.  The Cardinals made 20 of 28 shots from the
field in the first half for 71.4 per cent, and led at the halftime break, 51-27.  UMass
Dartmouth outscored CUA in the second half, 31-24, but could get no closer than the
final margin.  Junior forward Stephane Abelard (Brockton, MA/Brockton HS/Massasoit CC),
the Corsairs' representative on the All-Tournament Team, led all scorers with 21 points,
making six of 11 shots from the field, including a pair of three-pointers. Sophomore guard
A.J. Tavares (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford HS) added 15 points, making half of his ten
shots from the field. Shane Sowden, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, led Catholic
with 17 points and seven rebounds, making eight of 11 shots from the field. Scott Fumai
added 13 points and Stephen Wheeler added 10.  Pat Satalin and Patrick Dwyer of CUA,
Matt Grendal of Salve Regina and Maine-Fort Kent's Darius Parker also made the
All-Tournament Team.

2004 Hampton Inn Classic Review:

Parish leads MIT to Hampton Inn title over Endicott
Brandon Parrish scored 20 points and Mike D'Auria added 19 to lead M.I.T. to a 74-69
victory over Endicott College in the 6^th annual Hampton Inn Basketball Classic championship
game played Saturday at the Tripp Athletic Center.  Parrish, who made five three-pointers,
including three in the first half, was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. He was joined
by D'Auria on the All-Tournament team for MIT (2-0).  MIT grabbed a 38-34 at halftime and
outscored Endicott College, 36-35, in the second half. Alex Krull also scored in double
figures for MIT with 10 points.  Samuel Evans led Endicott College with 16 points and 11
rebounds, while Josh Oxton added 13 points and Nemanja Marinkovic added 11 points
and seven rebounds for the Gulls (1-1).  Evans and Marinkovich were named to the All-
Tournament team along with Brandon Parrish from Roger Williams University and Chris
Lapriore from UMass Dartmouth.  In the consolation round game, UMass Dartmouth d
efeated Roger Williams University, 87-84, in overtime.  UMass Dartmouth's Billy Cardoza
hit a three-point shot with 2.2 seconds left in regulation to force the extra session.

2003 Hampton Inn Classic Review

Britto, Pawlowski lead Corsairs to Hampton Inn crown

Joey Britto (Fairhaven, MA) and Matt McAulliffe (Sutton, MA) each scored 20 points to
lead UMass Dartmouth to an 83-57 victory over MIT in the championship game of the fifth
annual Hampton Inn Basketball Classic at the Tripp Athletic Center.  Britto earned
tournament Most Valuable Player honors with his 20 points along with five rebounds
and three three-pointers. He also earned Honor Roll distinction from the Little East
Conference for his efforts.  Paul Pawlowski (Taunton, MA) who had seven points and
a pair of rebounds joined him on the All-Tournament team.  Jeff Hambley (South Hadley,
MA) added 11 points on three of six from three-point range for the Corsairs, who
recaptured the tournament championship for the fourth time in five years.  Andrew
Tsai led MIT (1-1) with 16 points, including four of five from three-point range.  Tsai
and teammate Kyle Doherty (11 points) were the named to the All-Tournament team
for the Engineers.  UMass Dartmouth raced out to a 41-22 lead at halftime and cruised
to the 26-point victory.

2002 Hampton Inn Classic Review:

UMD falls to Wheaton College HIBC final, 85-79

For the first time in the four-year history of the Hampton Inn Basketball Classic, the
trophy does not reside in the UMass Dartmouth trophy case.  Wheaton College snapped
the Corsairs' three-year hold on the title, taking an 85-79 victory over the host Corsairs in
the Hampton Inn Finals on Nov. 23.  UMass Dartmouth held a 38-37 lead at the half, but
Wheaton College shot 44.1% in the second half and connected on 15 of 17 free throws to
secure the six-point victory.  Josean Vega, the Tournament's Most Valuable Player led
the Lyons with 23 points.  For the Corsairs, who defeated Salve Regina in the
tournament opener, 78-56, Matt McAulliffe (Sutton, MA) led the way with 20 points,
including six of 10 from three point range.  Sean Walsh (East Sandwich, MA) added
18 points and six rebounds, while Jason Wiggins (Bloomfield, CT) added 13 points
and nine rebounds.  Tim Gaspar (Dartmouth, MA) added 13 points and seven assists
in a losing effort. Joining Vega on the All-Tournament team were McAuliffe and Gaspar
from UMass Dartmouth along with Tom Morrissey of Salve Regina, Scot Mahan of
Wheaton College and Kyle Petrie of Bowdoin College.

2001 Hampton Inn Classic Review:

Corsairs capture HIBC with win over Colby-Sawyer

UMass Dartmouth's Ivan Britto (New Bedford, MA) scored 23 points, including 7 of
9 three-pointers, to lead the Corsairs to an 89-86 victory over Colby-Sawyer College
on Nov. 17 for the championship of the Third Annual Hampton Inn Basketball Classic
at the Tripp Athletic Center. The Corsairs' championship was the third in as many years
for the season kick-off tournament sponsored by Lafrance Hospitality, owners of The
Hampton Inn in Fairhaven, Westport and Franklin.  A senior guard, Britto was selected
the Hampton Inn Basketball Classic Most Valuable Player. Also named to the All-
Tournament team were UMass Dartmouth's Steve Patrick (Lynn, MA) along with
Calen Paquette and Grant Kelly from Colby-Sawyer College. A pair of three-pointers
by Brian Austin (Winchendon, MA) and captain Ryan Cassidy (Framingham, MA)
gave the Corsairs a 79-73 lead with 3:40 to play. Britto nailed two three-pointers
down the stretch, one with 1:49 to play and another with 55.9 seconds remaining
to put the game away. Patrick had 18 points and 5 rebounds for UMass Dartmouth,
while Chris Lapriore (Grafton, MA) had 17 points and 11 rebounds. 

2000 Hampton Inn Classic Review

HIBC goes to Corsairs over Colby-Sawyer, 69-51

Senior center Nick Cecilio scored 22 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to lead UMass
Dartmouth to a 69-51 victory over Colby-Sawyer College Saturday afternoon Nov.
18, 2000 for the championship of the second annual Hampton Inn Basketball Classic.
Cecilio was selected the Hampton Inn Basketball Classic Most Valuable Player.
Also named to the All-Tournament team was UMass Dartmouth guard Tim Gaspar,
who finished with 4 points with 8 assists, 5 steals and 4 rebounds. Also named to
the All-Tournament team were Grant Kelly and Calen Paquette of Colby-Sawyer
College along with Morales Louis of MCLA and Joe Kramarcczyk of Dominican
University. The Corsairs (2-0) held a 5-point lead at halftime (37-32), before putting
the game out of reach with a run early in the second half and solid defense throughout
the game.

Hampton Inn Basketball Classic 1999-2011

Combined Team Records 1999-2011

UMass Dartmouth Athletics Athletics

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