The Hampton campus is just 14.8 miles from the campus of Norfolk State. The 3.5-mile long Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel connects the two universities.
Hampton's closest rival, the two teams developed a longstanding relationship over the years. Hampton was a charter member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1912. Norfolk State joined the league in 1970. Hampton moved to the Division I ranks in 1991 and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Spartans followed in 1997.
The Pirates left the MEAC for the Big South in 2018 and then to Coastal Athletic Association in 2022 while Norfolk State remained in the MEAC.
Although Hampton and Norfolk State are in different conferences, they meet every year in a variety of different sports with bragging rights, school pride on the line in the annual Battle of the Bay.
THE GAME
Hampton (2-4) travels to Tidewater to take on longtime rival Norfolk State (2-3) in the annual Battle of the Bay.
The Pirates come into the contest having lost back-to-back games falling to Holy Cross (67-61) and at Boston College (63-52). The Spartans have lost their last three games, losing to William & Mary (81-78), Old Dominion (60-57) and Towson (51-41).
The Pirates are led by 6-7 senior forward
Xzavier Long and 6-7 sophomore guard
Daniel Johnson. Both was named to the preseason all-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) squad. Long leads the Pirates in both scoring (12.0 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg). Johnson is second ion scoring (11.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.23 rpg).
The game will mark the fifth consecutive road game for the Pirates. Hampton will play at UMES on Nov. 25 before playing its first home game since Nov, 6 when its hosts Apprentice School on Dec. 1.
Norfolk State is led by a trio of seniors. Guard Anthony McComb III leads the Spartans in scoring (15.2 ppg) followed by forward Devan Ellis (12.4 ppg) and guard Elijah Jamison (12.2 ppg).
Norfolk State has won the last six matchups between the two teams including last year's 67-58 win on Nov. 16, 2024 at the Convocation Center. Hampton's last win over the Spartans came on Dec. 7, 2019 with a 64-53 triumph at the Convocation Center. Hampton has lost the last three games in Norfolk.
