WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 8, 2024) … Kyrese Mullen’s lay-up on a go from Ford Cooper Jr. with :06 left propelled No. 14-seed Hampton (9-23) to a 56-55 upset victory over No. 11-seed Elon (13-19) within the opening spherical of the Jersey Mike’s Coastal Athletic Affiliation Championship. Hampton advances to the second spherical of the event in Washington, D.C.
Hampton had gone scoreless over the past three minutes of the sport, lacking seven consecutive pictures from the sphere, earlier than Mullen’s dramatic game-winner.
Hampton led by as many as 14 within the first half and 10 within the second earlier than a 9-0 run by the Phoenix put Elon forward 52-51 with 4:15 remaining. Jerry Deng’s three-pointer with 2:55 put the Pirates again forward, 54-52. However Elon stormed again to take a 55-54 lead within the closing seconds.
Deng completed the sport with 16 factors. Ja’Von Benson scored 11 factors for the Pirates with a team-high seven rebounds.
Hampton obtained off to as sluggish begin however Elon began even slower. Elon scored the sport’s first two factors from the free throw line and Hampton didn’t get on the scoreboard till practically two minutes into the competition. The Phoenix missed their first 9 pictures from the sphere however had 5 factors, all from the free throw line.
The Pirates led by eight, 13-5, on a basket by Trey Thomas with 11:46 to go within the first half. Hampton’s lead grew to double figures, 27-16 on a 7-0 Pirate run capped by a Deng dunk with 4:21 left. Elon continued to wrestle offensively, capturing solely 19 % late within the first half. Hampton had its greatest lead, 34-20, after a Nesbitt discipline objective and free throw with 1:13 to go. Elon ended the half with a five-point run to shut to inside 9, 34-25.
Eight gamers reached the scoring column within the first half led by Deng’s 9 factors. TK Simpkins led the Phoenix with eight first half factors. Hampton shot 38 % from the sphere and compelled 11 Elon turnovers. With their late run, the Phoenix shot 27 % from the sphere.
The sport stayed shut within the closing 10 minutes and a basket by Simpkins with 25 seconds left put the Phoenix forward 55-54. Hampton had a shot blocked within the closing seconds however obtained the ball again in time for one final shot. And what a shot it was.
In different motion, William & Mary topped North Carolina A&T, 79-62 within the first recreation of the CAA Championship.
