Second Half Surge Lifts Hofstra Over Hampton, 86-77

Thursday, January 18

Hempstead, N.Y.

7:00 PM

Hampton University

4-14,0-6CAA

Hofstra

9-9,2-3CAA

Team	1	2	F
Hampton	42	35	77
Hofstra	27	59	86

Photo by: Matteo Bracco

Second Half Surge Lifts Hofstra Over Hampton, 86-77

1.18.24 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (Jan. 18, 2024) … Hampton University men's basketball team fell on the road to Hofstra 86-77. The Pride's 50 percent shooting from three in the second half helped mount their comeback. While the Pirates started off the second half slow, they still were able to build a seven-point lead. With Hofstra hitting shots, the Pride would pull away late.

The Pirates started the contest firing on all cylinders shooting 50 percent from the field before the first media timeout. Hampton's defense was solid forcing a three-minute scoring drought by Hofstra. Throughout the half, HU's defense gave them high-quality looks in transition.

Coming out of the first stoppage of play Jordan Nesbitt blocked Hofstra's Jacco Fritz's layup. Nesbitt's defensive effort propelled Hampton to take its first double-digit lead of the night 17-6. With the Pirates connecting from beyond the arc, HU continued to build upon its advantage. In the first half alone Hampton hit five threes.

Ja'Von Benson had a solid first half for the Pirates. Benson produced 11 points while going 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from the charity strip. The Columbia, S.C. native, minutes were limited to close out the half due to picking up his second foul. Trey Thomas provided Coach Joyner Jr.'s squad with a spark off the bench. Thomas matched Benson's 11 points while getting to the free-throw line. With the Pirates drawing 11 fouls, some of Hofstra's key contributors got into foul trouble. Heading into the half the Pirates constructed a 15-point lead.

At the start of the second half, Hampton got on the board first with a jumper from Kyrese Mullen. The Pride responded to Mullen's jumper with a 17-0 run to tie it up 44-44. During this stretch, the Pirates experienced a scoring drought that lasted over four minutes while committing six turnovers.

Heading out of the under-12 media, Hampton responded to the Pride's second-half surge. A jumper by Ja'Von Benson from beyond the arc gave the Pirates a seven-point advantage with 10:11 to go. Benson finished the contest with a career-high 16 points.

Hofstra took their first lead of the contest at the 8:19 mark. HU would go 6-8 from the field before the final media timeout. Trey Thomas continued to score down the stretch finishing the game with a team-high 17 points off the bench. While the Pirates regained the advantage, The Pride closed out the contest on a 19-7 run.

The Pirates will be back in action this Saturday against Monmouth at 2:00 PM inside the Ocean First Bank Center.