Mary Washington Wins First D-III Championship in Thriller

Kye Robinson and Colin Mitchell lead the Eagles to a 75-73 victory over Emory

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:22pm

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In a nail-biting finish, Kye Robinson scored 27 points and Colin Mitchell scored the game-winning putback at the buzzer as Mary Washington's Eagles defeated Emory's Eagles 75-73 to claim their first ever Division III national championship.

Why it matters

This is a historic moment for the Mary Washington basketball program, which has never won a national title at the Division III level. The thrilling comeback victory over a tough Emory team showcases the talent and resilience of the Mary Washington players and coaches.

The details

Mary Washington built a 63-50 lead with 4:49 remaining, but Emory stormed back with a 23-10 run capped by Ethan Fauss' game-tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. On the final possession, Kye Robinson missed a shot but Colin Mitchell was there for the putback at the buzzer to give Mary Washington the championship.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 5, 2026 in Indianapolis.
  • Emory took a 30-28 lead at halftime.
  • Mary Washington went on a 14-2 run to take a 49-45 lead in the second half.
  • Mary Washington built a 63-50 lead with 4:49 remaining before Emory's comeback.
  • Colin Mitchell scored the game-winning putback as time expired.

The players

Kye Robinson

A standout player for Mary Washington, scoring 27 points and adding 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals in the championship game.

Colin Mitchell

The hero of the game, scoring the game-winning putback at the buzzer to give Mary Washington their first ever Division III national championship.

Ethan Fauss

Emory's sharp-shooter, scoring 24 points including the game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Jair Knight

Emory's leading scorer with 24 points, helping lead their furious comeback effort.

Ben Pearce

Emory's all-time leading scorer, who struggled early but hit a key 3-pointer late in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We never gave up, even when they made that big run to tie it. I'm so proud of this team and how we fought to the very end.”

— Kye Robinson, Mary Washington Guard

“It was a heartbreaker, but Emory showed a lot of fight to come back like that. Hats off to Mary Washington, they made the play when it counted most.”

— Ethan Fauss, Emory Guard

What’s next

Mary Washington will look to build on this championship season and become a consistent contender at the Division III level, while Emory will aim to bounce back next year and make another deep tournament run.

The takeaway

This thrilling championship game showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in Division III basketball, with two evenly matched teams battling down to the final seconds. Mary Washington's first national title is a landmark achievement for the program and the local community.