Box Score

Hampton, Va. – For the second consecutive game the Pirates of Hampton University shot just 27% from the field, including a 7-of-30 effort from three-point land, consequently falling to visiting Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) 56-49 in the home opener for HU. With the loss the Pirates fell to 1-3, while the Retrievers picked up their first victory of the season to improve to 1-2.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the first half, combining for just 11 field goals. The Pirates used a full court trap on defense to force UMBC into 14 turnovers, but the Retrievers 2-3 zone forced Hampton to settle exclusively for the perimeter shot which was not falling.

UMBC’s Chris Pugh’s layup with 6:07 on the clock was the Retrievers’ last basket before the half, giving them a 17-11 lead. However, the Pirates continued to foul and UMBC took advantage by making eight of their next 10 free throws to carry a 25-14 lead into the intermission. The 14 points by the Pirates were the lowest in a half since they scored just 15 in last year’s season opener at Richmond.

The Pirates forced UMBC into three turnovers in the first three minutes of the second half, and on offense three-pointers by Junior Pehoua and freshman Vincent Simpson eventually helped Hampton cut the Retrievers’ lead to 35-34 with eight minutes to play.

UMBC promptly went on an 11-2 run with four baskets coming on layups as the Retrievers sliced through the Hampton defense for uncontested shots. Hampton continued to try and use the long ball to get back into the game, but the Pirates made just 4-of-14 attempts from deep in the second half.

UMBC’s Chris Pugh led all scorers with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds and Jay Greene added 11 points for the Retrievers.

Rashad West and Vincent Simpson both knocked down three shots from behind the arc to lead Hampton with 14 and 13 points respectively.

The Pirates return to the court on Tuesday, Nov. 21 when they host last year’s NCAA Tournament Final Four participant George Mason.