HAMPTON, Va. – Host Hampton jumped out to a double-digit first-half lead and made it stand up, outlasting Norfolk State 56-52 in a tight defensive contest in the Battle of the Bay on Saturday at the HU Convocation Center.

Both teams pride themselves on stingy defense and true to form, both held the other side to less than 30 percent shooting. But in the teams' first meeting in two years, the Pirates (2-6) outscored NSU (2-5) 22-12 from the foul line and attempted 19 more free throws than the visitors.

The Spartans missed 15 of their 16 field goal attempts in the first quarter. Hampton was only marginally better, but hit a pair of threes and got to the line nine times in taking a 16-3 lead after one quarter.

NSU trailed by as many as 14 points in the second quarter, but found its shooting touch late in the half. Camille Downs hit NSU's first 3-pointer of the night and Janay Turner answered with two of her own to help NSU get to within nine, 27-18, heading into the intermission.

The Spartans clawed their way back in the second half, holding Hampton to just one field goal in the third quarter. Downs made two free throws, part of her team's 6-for-6 effort from the charity stripe in the quarter, to bring NSU within seven (38-31) entering the fourth quarter.

Hampton pushed its edge to 12 midway through the final quarter before the Spartans made their final push. It started with a 10-2 run that included two 3-pointers and a steal by Crystal White. Deja Francis capped the run with a layup to bring NSU within 46-42 at the 4:37 mark.

A 3-pointer by Armani Franklin sliced HU's lead to 51-48 with a minute and a half to play. Just more than a minute later, Downs grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a putback to cut NSU's deficit to 52-50 with 21 seconds to play. She was fouled on the shot, but a lane violation turned it back over to HU.

Two free throws by HU's Tia Montagne and a layup by the Spartans' Niya Fields followed, but HU left the door open for the Spartans when Montagne split two free throws with 13 seconds left. Trailing by three, NSU had a chance to cut it to one or tie, but turned the ball over with six seconds remaining. Victoria Davis then hit one free throw to seal it for Hampton.

Nas Nigatu scored 14 and Davis 13 for the Lady Pirates. Dlayla Chakolis grabbed 13 rebounds.

Downs was the only Spartan in double figures, with 10 points. Francis chipped in with nine, while Franklin and Mahoganie Williams had eight apiece. Williams also blocked four shots and grabbed four rebounds. Franklin led the Spartans with seven boards and Fields had a career-high eight assists.

NSU has a quick turnaround, hitting the road to face George Mason on Monday night at 7 p.m. in Fairfax.