PHOENIX, AZ – Norfolk St. rallied in the second half to beat Hampton 70-61 on the first day of the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul on Sunday night.

Hampton got 14 points each from Russell Dean and Marquis Godwin but it was not enough to overcome the Spartans.

The Pirates trailed most of the first half. With 5:39 remaining in the half the Pirates would take their first lead of the ball game at 23-20 on one of Godwin's four three pointers. Dean would add two free throws and Luc Therrien would add another one to give Hampton a six-point advantage. Both teams would keep exchanging baskets with the Pirates taking a six-point lead at the break.

In the second half the Spartans would slowly eat away at the lead until taking the advantage back at the 9:51 mark on a Nyzaiah Chambers dunk that made the score 44-42. Hampton would then return the favor when Najee Garvin knocked down three straight free throws to give the Pirates the lead back at 50-49. Garvin's layup on the next possession would give Hampton it's final lead of the evening at 52-49. The Spartans would go on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to take control of the game for good.

Hampton returns on Monday to play in day two of the Boost Mobile Challenge on ESPNU when they take on Morgan St. at 8:30 pm.