HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University men's basketball team suffered its first MEAC loss of the season Monday night, as North Carolina Central won a nationally-televised game 64-51 at the HU Convocation Center.
 
The Pirates fell to 6-11 overall and 3-1 in MEAC play.
 
Lawrence Cooks was the only Pirate in double figures, racking up 12 points for the night to go along with a team-high three assists. Trevond Barnes, Lysander Bracey, and Akim Mitchell each added eight points, with Barnes grabbing a team-high seven boards.
 
Hampton shot 35.4 percent (17-for-48) from the floor and went 4-for-19 (21.1 percent) from behind the arc. The Pirates also struggled at the free throw line – 13-for-20 (65.0 percent).
 
NCCU used a quick 10-2 game-opening run to take control, and the Eagles held a 25-20 lead at the 5:19 mark after a Ron Trapps three. But the Pirates answered with an 8-1 run, storming back to take a 28-26 lead on a Barnes free throw with 50 seconds left in the half.
 
Dajuan Graf hit a jumper with nine seconds left to tie the game at 28-28 at the half.
 
Cooks led the Pirates with six points at the break.
 
A 12-8 opening to the second half gave the Pirates a 40-36 lead with 13:56 remaining after Mitchell hit a jumper. Devon Oakley hit a layup at the 12:58 mark that gave Hampton a 42-38 lead, but the Eagles scored the next 10 points to take a 48-42 lead with 8:59 remaining.
 
Graf's jumper with 5:20 left gave the Eagles their first double-digit lead, 56-46, and NCCU maintained control from there. After that basket, the Eagles ended the game outscoring the Pirates 8-5 – including a 6-for-8 stretch at the line.
 
The Eagles (12-6, 3-1 MEAC) shot 45.5 percent (25-for-55) from the floor – despite only going 3-for-12 from behind the arc and struggling at the free throw line (11-for-17, 64.7 percent). NCCU also had a 36-29 edge on the glass.
 
Graf led three Eagles in double figures with 17 points.
 
The Pirates will head to Echols Hall on Saturday to take on rival Norfolk State at 6 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5757, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.