The Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic brought eight teams and eight games over two days to Mohegan Sun Arena inside the dining, shopping, live entertainment and gaming oasis that is Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The eight teams were Alabama State, Benedict College, Delaware State, Grambling State, Kentucky State, Lincoln University, Norfolk State and Winston-Salem State. The eight teams were divided into two groups, with the Division II schools competing in the earlier sessions and the Division I schools competing at night.
In Dec. 19 action, the Lincoln Lions defeated Benedict College, 59-47, in the first of four games, and the Kentucky State Thorobreds defeated Winston Salem State, 86-79, to set up the championship game for the earlier games. In the late games Dec. 19, the Norfolk State Spartans dispatched Alabama State, 71-54, and the Delaware State Hornets defeated Grambling State, 73-60.
On Dec. 20, the Lincoln Lions defeated Kentucky State, 78-70, with Reggie Hudon leading the way with 22 points and eight rebounds; Ethan Garita, who scored 19 points to lead the way that day, notched a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Winston Salem State sent Benedict College away from the Mohegan Sun Arena winless when they won a closely contested game, 62-59.
With the Dec. 20 pre-set games, the Delaware State Hornets left Mohegan Sun Arena 2-0 after they defeated Alabama State, 83-80, with Robert Smith scoring 26 points for Delaware State. The Norfolk State Spartans sent Grambling home winless when they won, 76-70; Brian Moore Jr. led the way with 20 points.
The Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic was about much more than basketball, as numerous HBCUs were on the concourse to expose hundreds of students to their respective schools. Children of all ages performed at various game breaks, including halftime. Though Chris Paul is still playing in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs and could not attend the games, his parents, Charles and Robin, and his brother, Charles Jr, aka CJ, were all in attendance.
