Michael Gray notched a career-high 31 points to lead the University of Lynchburg men's basketball team to a 72-66 victory over a top-10 team in Hampden-Sydney to advance to the semifinal round of the ODAC tournament. Lynchburg's season continues in the semifinal round on Saturday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. against Roanoke.

Michael Gray's 31 points were the most by an individual performer since Cam Savage hit 30 points against Washington and Lee on Dec. 1, 2021. He splashed seven 3-pointers in the outing, five of which came in the second half, which ties for the sixth-most threes nailed in a game in school history.

With 12:26 remaining in the affair, the Hornets trailed by six following two made free throws from Colin Radcliffe. Gray cashed a jumper succeeding a steal from John Henderson that sparked a 19-6 run and put Lynchburg in front for good. Gray drained each of his last three attempts from beyond the arc, two of which were on back-to-back possessions to cap the run that ended with 4:45 on the clock.

The Hornets came into the contest as the seventh-seed and ousted the second-seeded Tigers, who are ranked No. 7 in the national poll. This is the first victory against a top-10 nationally ranked team for Lynchburg since the D3hoops national poll began in 1999.

The last time Lynchburg claimed victory against a top-25 nationally ranked team was against No. 25 Shenandoah last season in a 69-59 finish on Jan. 5, 2024. Tonight's triumph was the first ODAC postseason win for the program since the Hornets advanced to the conference championship game in the 2020-21 season.

On the glass, the Hornets grabbed 47 total rebounds to 38 from the Tigers. 14 of Lynchburg's rebounds came on the offensive end. Seven Hornet performers snagged five-or-more boards tonight, with Jonathan Foust totaling a team-high nine rebounds.

Men's basketball stays alive and is set for a rematch against Roanoke on Saturday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Salem, Va. at the Salem Civic Center.