NEWPORT NEWS — Start him, don’t start him … Toa Hollenbeck couldn’t care less. Either way, he’ll show up.
Coming off the bench for a third consecutive game — not a punishment by any means — Hollenbeck scored a career-high 43 points to lead No. 12 Christopher Newport University to an 86-77 win over No. 2 Mary Washington Wednesday night.
Hollenbeck’s output tied the third-highest scoring night in program history and broke the Freeman Center individual record. He was 12 of 22 from the floor, 6 of 9 from the arc, and 13 of 13 from the free throw line.
“I’d just been waiting to play this game for so long,” said Hollenbeck, a junior from Grassfield High in Chesapeake who added eight rebounds. “There was no love lost from last year, and I’m just glad we came out with the W.”
The “last year” Hollenbeck mentioned was a 71-66 loss to the Eagles in the Coast-To-Coast championship game, in which he was 2 of 13 from the field. This time, Hollenback knocked down his first three shots, each from deep, and kept going.
“You can tell when he’s in the zone and looking for his,” CNU coach John Krikorian said. “I mean, he was awesome.”
In 11 games coming off the bench this season, Hollenbeck is averaging 21.1 points. In his 10 starts, it’s slightly lower at 17.7 per game.
“I don’t,” Hollenbeck said when asked if he has a preference. “I think Tyler (Sprague) is a great player and he deserves a start. I think it’s just what’s best for the team. Coach’s decision.”
In addition to Hollenbeck’s huge night, there were plenty of other contributions. Collin Hines (Norview) had 13 rebounds, tying his season high, and an XXL blocked shot with four minutes remaining.
Point guard Tyson Henderson had nine assists, seven rebounds and only one turnover in 35 minutes. He and backcourt mate Isaiah Dozier each had three of the Captains’ season-high 11 blocked shots.
CNU (18-3) outrebounded Mary Washington 52-35 overall, 28-14 in the second half.
The game was hectic from start to finish. Forty-seven fouls were called, and there could have been more. Bodies were constantly crashing to the floor. Just what you’d expect of this rivalry.
“With Virginia basketball right now, the ODAC, Mary Washington and us, you’re talking top-20 teams that crash the board,” Krikorian said. “Players that deeply care about success. They sacrifice their bodies, they go after the ball hard.
“You’ve pretty much got to go into the game expecting a very physical game. And you’d better be tough enough or you’re going to get out of the gym.”
Mary Washington guard Kye Robinson, the fifth-leading scorer in Division III at 25.1 points a game, matched his average despite playing 26 minutes because of foul trouble.
CNU took the lead for good on a Hollenbeck 3-pointer, which made it 42-40 with 18:11 remaining. The Captains led by as many as 11 points and closed it out by making their final 12 free throws.
All in all, both teams had reason to be reasonably happy at halftime with the score tied at 36.
Mary Washington (18-2) was forced to play the final 9:44 without Robinson, who picked up his third foul battling for a rebound. CNU was outscored 13-1 in a seven-minute stretch in which it went from up seven to down five. This all came with Robinson on the bench.
The Eagles led 32-24 with 3:05 left in the half, but the Captains closed with a 12-4 run. Hollenbeck had eight of his 17 first-half points, six coming at the free throw line.
Fans won’t have to wait too long for the rematch. They’ll see each other again on Valentine’s Day in Fredericksburg.
