WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 13, 2025) … Hampton's comeback effort fell just short Saturday afternoon in the Battle of the Real HU falling 61-57 to Howard. The Pirates erased a six point lead with just 40 seconds remaining, but ultimately it was the Bison escaping with the win. 

Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt raced out of the gates to an early five points to help Hampton hold a 5-4 lead through the first four minutes of action Saturday afternoon. The Bison quickly responded with a 5-0 run to take a 9-5 lead. 

The Howard defense continued to be strong in the early stages, keeping Hampton to just seven points through nine minutes of game action. Kody Williams entered the game for the Pirates, and made an instant impact, with a steal and finish on one end, followed by forcing a Howard turnover to help spark the Pirates with seven minutes remaining in the half. Gaines-Wyatt then made two free throws to give the Pirates a 15-14 lead, capping a 10-1 run. 

The two sides traded blows over the course of the final six minutes, with Howard holding a 31-27 lead at the half. Gaines-Wyatt led all scorers at the break with 12, while Christian Watson added six for Hampton. The Pirates shot just 30.8 percent from the floor in the first half, but held Howard to an 0-6 performance from behind the arc to keep the game within four. 

Out of the break Hampton won the first four minutes outscoring Howard 6-4, cutting the lead to two at 35-33. Defense continued to be the theme of the afternoon with both teams stringing together multiple stops. Howard continued to hold on to its lead into the under 12 media timeout, with a 39-37 lead. Out of the timeout, Watson knotted  the score at 39 for the first time in the second half. 

The Pirates took the lead at the eight minute mark for the first time in the second half when Michael Eley flushed home a breakaway dunk giving Hampton a 44-43 lead. Howard quickly rattled off a 6-0 run out of the media timeout to regain the lead at 49-44. That run proved to be the difference for the Bison as the Pirates late game run fell just short giving Howard the 61-57 win. 

Hampton was paced by Gaines-Wyatt's 20 points, while Watson added 15 of his own. Xzavier Long led the Pirates with 11 rebounds. The Bison defense was stout on the day holding Hampton to just one made three pointer and a 26.0 field goal percentage. 

UP NEXT:
Hampton returns to action Thursday, Dec. 18 when they play game one of the Chris Paul Invitational in Atlanta against Jackson St. The Pirates then play Grambling the next day on day two of the tournament. Both games are scheduled for 5:00 p.m.