Box Score

Baltimore, Md. – Rashad West scored six of his game-high 23 points in the final 1:47 to lift the visiting Pirates of Hampton University to a 67-65 victory over Morgan State Saturday afternoon. Hampton (11-12, 7-5 MEAC) overcame a sluggish first half by shooting 76% in the final period to extend its winning streak to four games heading into Monday night’s matchup at Coppin State. Morgan State fell to 9-13 on the year, 7-4 in league play.

With the game tied at six four minutes into the contest, Morgan State went on a 9-0 run, getting baskets from four different players, to take a 15-6 lead. The Pirates struggled early on both ends of the court, committing unnecessary fouls on defense and not finding a rhythm on offense. Hampton made just 10-of-28 field goals in the first half and 5-of-11 free throws which resulted in a 33-25 deficit at the intermission.

It appeared early on in the second half that the Bears were on their way to an easy victory as they came out clicking on all cylinders. MSU senior Ronald Timus nailed a three-pointer from the wing and Joseph McClean followed with seven consecutive points of his own as the Bears built a 42-29 lead less than four minutes into the final period.

The Pirates used an all-around effort from the entire squad to slowly climb their way back into the game. Freshman Vincent Simpson’s three-pointer got things started and a steal and layup by Adrian Woodard followed, as did another shot from behind the arc from Matthew Pilgrim. Woodard then added back-to-back transition baskets, the second of which cut the MSU lead to 52-51.

Jamar Smith made three free throws on the Bears’ next two possessions to push the lead back to four, but the Pirates once again would not go away.

After coming up big on the offensive end, Woodard’s timely block of a Smith layup led to a fast-break bucket by Simpson that knotted the game at 61 apiece with 2:48 remaining. From there it was a see-saw battle over the final two minutes.

McLean put the Bears in front with a pull-up jumper and West answered with a jumper of his own in the lane. Timus again gave MSU a two-point cushion with his layup over Theo Smalling, but he missed the chance for a three-play which left the door open for West to again tie the game with his baseline jumper.

West scored his sixth straight point on a pair of free throws with 13 seconds to play to give Hampton its first lead since the 16:40 mark of the first half. The Bears had two chances to even the score but Timus’ driving layup rimmed out and went out of bounds off the Pirates with 1.9 seconds to go. Jamar Smith got an open look off the inbounds pass, but his three-point attempt hit the front of the rim giving Hampton the 67-65 victory. The win was the fourth of the season by two points or less for the Pirates who made 16-of-21 field goals in the second half.

Timus and McLean led the Bears with 16 points apiece and Boubacar Coly hauled in 12 rebounds as Morgan State outrebounded Hampton 31-29.

West’s 23 led four Pirates in double figures with Adrian Woodard scoring nine of his 11 after the half.