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. 6, 2026 at 12:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team won its first-ever Division III national championship, edging out Emory University 75-73 in a thrilling final game. Kye Robinson scored a team-high 27 points, while Colin Mitchell scored the game-winning putback at the buzzer to secure the victory for the Eagles.

Why it matters

This is a historic moment for the University of Mary Washington, a small public university in Virginia, as they capture their first national championship in men's basketball. The win over perennial powerhouse Emory University showcases the program's growth and ability to compete at the highest level of Division III competition.

The details

In a back-and-forth game, Mary Washington held a slim lead for most of the contest. However, Emory mounted a furious rally in the final minutes to tie the game at 73-73 with just seconds remaining. On the final possession, Mary Washington's Kye Robinson missed a potential game-winning shot, but teammate Colin Mitchell was there for the clutch putback at the buzzer to clinch the championship for the Eagles.

  • The national championship game was played on April 5, 2026.

The players

Kye Robinson

A senior guard for the University of Mary Washington, Kye Robinson led his team with 27 points in the national championship game.

Colin Mitchell

A junior forward for the University of Mary Washington, Colin Mitchell scored the game-winning putback at the buzzer to secure the national championship for the Eagles.

University of Mary Washington

A small public university in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the University of Mary Washington won its first-ever Division III national championship in men's basketball.

Emory University

A private research university in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory University was the runner-up in the Division III national championship game, falling to the University of Mary Washington 75-73.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is a dream come true for our program and our university. I'm so proud of the way our team fought and battled to the very end.”

— Kye Robinson, Senior Guard, University of Mary Washington

“It was a tough loss, but Emory played a great game. Hats off to Mary Washington, they made the play at the end to win it all.”

— Mike Duffy, Head Coach, Emory University

What’s next

The University of Mary Washington will celebrate its historic national championship victory with a parade and rally on campus in the coming days.

The takeaway

The University of Mary Washington's first-ever Division III national championship in men's basketball is a testament to the program's hard work, determination, and ability to compete at the highest level. This victory will undoubtedly inspire the school and its community, and could lead to increased interest and support for the basketball team in the years to come.