MILWAUKEE, WI (Nov. 3, 2025) … Hampton fell in a fast paced first game of the season to host Milwaukee Monday night 90-86. The Pirates trailed by as many as 14, but battled back before falling to the Panthers on opening night. 

Daniel Johnson jumped out to a sizzling start in the 2025 season cashing in the first four Hampton points of the 2025 season, as Milwaukee held a tight 5-4 advantage through the first four minutes. The Pirates then went on a 8-5 run over the course of the next four minutes to take a 12-10 lead into the second media timeout. A Kody Williams capped off a 5-0 run in that time with a long three pointer to score his first points in a Hampton uniform.

The Panthers erased that Hampton lead over the course of the next eight minutes draining four threes to take a 36-25 lead into the final four minutes of the half. They extended that into the break taking a 49-36 lead into halftime.

Milwaukee made eight first-half three-pointers to take the lead over Hampton into the half. Hampton was paced by Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt's 13 first half points, with seven coming from the line. Johnson added seven and senior Xzavier Long poured in six with three rebounds. The Pirates shot 40.7 percent from the field in the half, but the Panthers ultimately held their lead due to outshooting the Pirates by 13 shots. 

Hampton started the second half similar to the first when Johnson drained a corner three, followed by a Eunique Rink hook shot to cut the deficit to ten. The fast-paced action continued throughout the early stages of the half as each team traded buckets. Hampton cut the lead below 10 when Etienne Strothers drained two free throws to cut it to eight with 13 minutes remaining. 

The Pirates continued to slowly cut into the lead, making it seven with nine minutes left remaining. After two Milwaukee free throws, Williams drained a three followed by a Johnson pull up to cut the lead to four. The Panthers quickly responded with a four-point play to push the lead back out to eight at the eight-minute media timeout 71-63. 

Over the course of the next four minutes, Long handled the offensive end for the Pirates, scoring six of the team's eight points. Following a Johnson free throw, the Pirates trailed by just one at 80-78, but it was Milwaukee rattling off the next six points to take a commanding 84-78 lead with a minute and a half left. Hampton continued to battle to the end, but ultimately it was Milwaukee making free throws late to down the Pirates 90-86. 

Long was exceptional on the night for Hampton, recording a game-high 17 rebounds to go along with 16 points and eight assists, all career highs at Hampton for the senior. Gaines-Wyatt paced the Pirates with 25 on the night, shooting 12-15 from the charity stripe, while Johnson was the third Pirate in double figures with 15. Hampton shot 41.3 percent from the field on the night, while shooting 46.2 percent from three. The Pirates assisted on 18 of their 26 made field goals, but it was Milwaukee forcing 18 turnovers on the night. 

UP NEXT:
Hampton returns to action Thursday, Nov. 6 when they play host to Mid-Atlantic Christian. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m inside the Convocation Center.