Saturday, February 16
Hampton, Va.
6:00 p.m.
Hampton University
77
vs
74
South Carolina State
Simpson hit the game winning shot at the buzzer to lift the Pirates past SC State. (Photo by Mark Sutton)
THREE-POINTER AT BUZZER LIFTS PIRATES TO 77-74 WIN OVER S.C. STATE
2.16.08 | Men's Basketball
HAMPTON, Va. – With the game knotted at 74-74, Vinnie Simpson’s three-point shot past mid-court lifted the Hampton University Pirates to a huge 77-74 victory over visiting South Carolina State University here on Saturday.
Simpson’s improbable shot erased a tough week that saw the spirit of the Pirates down following back-to-back losses at Delaware State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The dramatic win, according to head coach Kevin Nickelberry, should motivate the team for the remainder of the year.
“I’m happy for him,” Nickelberry said of Simpson’s heroics. “He’s had some bad luck in games this season, so if anyone deserves to make a shot like that, Vinnie deserves it. It’s a shot we work on every day in practice. He got the look and he took the shot. We’re fortunate that it went in.”
The victory increased Hampton’s season record to 14-9 overall and 8-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. S.C. State dropped to 8-17 overall and 4-7 in the conference.
The Bulldogs, who led 41-38 at the half, led most of the second half and by as many as 12 points with 13:43 to play. But the Pirates slowly chipped away, tying the game on a couple of occasions before taking the lead at 72-70 at the 3:11 mark following a Theo Smalling layup.
The dramatic finish then began to shape up.
SCSU’s Jason Johnson tied the game at 72-72 with 53 seconds to play, but Mike Pilgrim’s tip-in basket with five ticks left gave Hampton a two-point lead at 74-72.
On the ensuing possession, SCSU’s Jessie Burton was fouled while attempting a three-point basket. After making the first of three free throw attempts, he then missed the second before making the third. That left the game tied at 74-74, the fourth tie of the ball game.
Simpson then launched his three-point aerial from no-man’s land, giving the Pirates the win.
Following the game, Nickelberry said such a victory is good for the psyche of his players.
“I think it’s huge,” said Nickelberry. “It’s been a tough week on the guys emotionally and physically. Hopefully, this win will give our guys a lift for the rest of the season.”
Statistically, Simpson led all scorers with 24 points on the night. Rashad West pitched in 16 points and Pilgrim 10. Smalling led all rebounders with 12 boards.
The Bulldogs were led by Burton, who had 21 points, and Johnson, who added 13.
Come Monday night, the Pirates will host Winston-Salem State University and former head coach Bobby Collins at 8 p.m. in the HU Convocation Center. Nickelberry said that contest has the potential of being another emotional one for his team.
“The last game with Winston-Salem State was emotional and physical and I expect Monday’s game to be the same,” said Nickelberry. “Winston-Salem State will be a very motivated opponent.”
For more information on the Pirates, log onto HU’s web page at www.hamptonpirates.com, or call 757-727-5757.
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