PIRATES SMOTHER RAMS OF WSSU 67-49
Freeman led Pirates with game high 17 points on the night. (Photo by Mark Sutton)
2/16/2009 11:57:14 PM
Final Stats
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Pirates of Hampton University forced the Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team to miss 15 of their first 16 shots in the second half of play, enabling the Pirates to turn a five-point halftime advantage into an insurmountable 26-point lead en route to a 67-49 victory over the Rams on Monday evening at the Joel Coliseum Annex.
The Pirates improve to 12-13 (5-6 MEAC) on the season, while the Rams drop to 7-17 overall on the year after the loss.
With Hampton up 25-20 following the intermission, the Pirates defense would allow the Rams to get only one field goal and a pair of free throws during the contest's next 11-plus minutes, as Winston-Salem State missed 15 of 16 field goals and would go more than eight and a half minutes without a bucket.
During the Pirates’ 24-4 run that encompassed the first 10 minutes of the game's final period, the Rams would get a Brian Fisher layup 2:46 into the half and would record a pair of free throws midway through the period before a Jamarcus McClinton layup with 8:50 remaining broke the scoring drought.
Despite breaking the drought, the damage would already be done as Hampton would never allow the Rams to get closer than 14 points the rest of the way as they earned the season sweep of WSSU and ran Pirates’ win streak over the Rams to four games, including 12 of the last 13 meetings between the two programs.
WSSU's last victory over Hampton came in 1995.
Michael Freeman’s 17 points led the Pirates and was a game high on the night, as he also six rebounds and three blocks. Assisting Freeman in double-figure scoring was sophomore
Brandon Tunnell, who finished the night with 10 points.
Brian Fisher's 14 points led WSSU in the loss.
The Pirates shot an impressive 54.1 percent from the floor, making 20-of-37 shots on the night while holding the Rams to just 22.6 shooting on 14-of-62 shots made from the floor. Hampton was also able to score 20 points of the Rams’ 19 turnovers and 30 points in the paint. They also recorded a season-high 11 blocks on the night.
Hampton returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. as they host the Eagles of Coppin State University at the HU Convocation Center.
For additional information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at
www.hamptonpirates.com.