Box Score

Hampton, Va. – Mike Freeman scored a career-high 28, 17 in the second half, and fellow freshman Theo Smalling added eight points and a career-high 13 rebounds to help the Pirates of Hampton University to a 71-58 win over Maryland Eastern Shore. With the win the Pirates finish the regular season with a mark of 14-15, 10-8 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), while the Hawks remained winless in conference play at 0-17, 3-26 overall.

With the game knotted at 35 at the half, Hampton came out with the intentions of going inside early and often. The Pirates pounded the ball inside to Freeman who responded with three consecutive baskets to put Hampton in front 44-40. Smalling, who scored all of his points from the line, added to the lead with four free throws that increased the Pirates’ lead to 48-40 with 13:29 remaining.

Hampton opened things up with a 10-3 run over the next five minutes with six points coming from Freeman and three on a Rashad West jumper from behind the arc that made the score 58-43.

Ed Tyson did all he could to help the Hawks stay within striking distance by getting to the line (4-of-5) and nailing a three-pointer from the wing that cut the HU lead to 61-50 with 4:42 to play. However, Freeman showed why he will almost certainly be named the MEAC Rookie of the Week, by leading the Pirates on another 9-2 run to seal the win.

Tyson finished the night with a team-high 24 points for the Hawks who also got a double digit effort from Corey Brown with 12 points.

Hampton walk-on Kevin Sumner who scored a career-high 19 points on Monday, continued his surprise performance with 11 first half points to help the Pirates tie the game at 35 at the half.