NORFOLK — The Battle of the Bay didn’t come without its late-game drama this time around.
Norfolk State outlasted Hampton to claim its fifth straight rivalry win Friday night, surviving a frantic finish to edge the Pirates 62–60 at Echols Hall.
The Spartans (3-3) twice split free throws in the closing seconds to regain the lead, setting up Hampton with one last chance. But Etienne Strothers’ drive to the rim was erased by a soaring block from Jaquel Morris in the waning seconds, and the Pirates’ desperation heave from half-court missed at the horn.
“That last possession, we actually played some defense for that,” NSU head coach Robert Jones said. “He tried to reverse it, and Jaquel was right there for a back-side block. We got the rebound, and that sealed the game.”
The first set of free throws came under controversial circumstances. The game was tied 60-60, but the Pirates intentionally fouled Elijah Jamison with 26 seconds left. Hampton coach Ivan Thomas said that wasn’t a part of the plan, and it handed NSU a free point. But he said it was his mistake for not properly communicating the situation to his team.
“I don’t think my defense is that bad where I have to foul and give them two free points,” Thomas said. “… It’s not my team. That’s on me. I’m the leader of this team.”
NSU seized control late with a 7-0 run after trailing 55-52, sparked by an Anthony McComb III 3-pointer, a thunderous Morris dunk and a downhill finish from Jamison. Hampton (2-5) went cold during that stretch — missing four shots and two free throws and committing a turnover — before rattling off five points in the final 35 seconds to tie it at 60.
Jones said the team talked in the huddle about the importance of that final stretch.
“Once it was tied up at the last media (timeout), we said whoever wins this media is gonna win the game,” he said. “It was good to see some resilience, because we’re still developing that edge you need to be a champion.”
Thomas credited NSU’s experience and toughness down the stretch.
“They were tough. They were gritty. They finished it,” Thomas said. “They closed the door when we made runs and they capitalized on our mistakes.”
Thomas also took responsibility for his team’s execution in the final minute.
“That last possession was like a broken play,” he said. “Lack of execution — that’s on me. Down the stretch, we’ve got to be better, and I’ve got to put my guys in a position to get a better shot.”
The rivalry matchup swung back and forth early. After Hampton opened the scoring with a quick 3-pointer, NSU answered with a 7-0 burst to build an 11-5 lead behind Devon Ellis and McComb. Hampton countered with a 7-0 run of its own before both teams slogged through more than six minutes of cold shooting and missed free throws.
NSU led most of the half before Christian Watson drilled a deep 3 at the buzzer to send Hampton into halftime tied 30-30.
The second half mirrored the first — NSU opened with a 12–5 run to go up 42-35, Hampton responded with an 11-2 push fueled by making three 3-pointers, and the teams traded blows until the tense closing sequence.
Jamison, making his first start, led NSU with 18 points and five rebounds. McComb added 13 points and four boards. Hampton was led by Daniel Johnson (15 points, five rebounds) and Michael Eley (14 points, four rebounds).
Norfolk State travels to Wyoming at 4 p.m. Sunday. Hampton heads to Maryland Eastern Shore at 7 p.m. Tuesday.