NORFOLK, Va. – The Hampton University men's basketball team struggled to score in the first half Saturday evening in Echols Hall before ultimately falling to rival Norfolk State – which won first round of the Battle of the Bay 79-62.
 
The Pirates fell to 6-12 overall and 3-2 in MEAC play.
 
Branden Aughburns and Kalin Fisher each had 12 points to lead the Pirates, while Aughburns also had a team-high seven rebounds off the bench. Both totals were career highs for Aughburns. Akim Mitchell added 11 points.
 
Lawrence Cooks had a team-high four assists.
 
The Pirates shot 37.9 percent (25-for-66) from the floor and went 14-for-30 (46.7 percent) in the second half. But Hampton was cold in the first half, going 11-for-36 (30.6 percent) in the opening 20 minutes. Behind the arc wasn't much better; Hampton was 5-for-19 from distance.
 
Hampton was also 7-for-14 at the free throw line.
 
Mitchell gave the Pirates an early 8-6 lead with a jumper, but the Spartans responded with an 18-4 run – taking a 24-12 lead at the 9:48 mark after Jonathan Wade hit a 3-pointer. Norfolk State led by double figures for the remainder of the half, leading by as many as 15 – 35-20 – after Micah Goss hit a three at the 2:57 mark.
 
The Spartans led 38-27 at the break.
 
Mitchell led the Pirates with nine points in the first half.
 
Norfolk State scored the first six points of the second half, taking a 44-27 lead after an Alex Long layup. The Pirates began clawing the way back, going on a 16-8 spurt to cut the lead to single digits after Jermaine Marrow's three left the Spartans' lead at 52-43.
 
But Norfolk State answered with an 11-1 run to take a 63-44 lead with 8:05 to play, regaining control of the game. The Spartans' largest lead came with 3:02 remaining, after Wade hit two free throws to give Norfolk State a 75-50 lead.
 
Hampton ended the game on a 12-4 run.
 
Norfolk State (6-13, 3-2 MEAC) shot 49.1 percent (26-for-53) from the floor – including a 55.2 percent clip (16-for-29) in the first half. The Spartans made 10 of their 16 3-pointers, 17 of their 20 free throws, and held a 41-31 rebounding edge.
 
Wade led the Spartans with 23 points.
 
The Pirates will return to the HU Convocation Center on Wednesday for a make-up game against South Carolina State at 7 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.