NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team edged Hampton University, 62-60, on Friday evening in the 143rd edition of the Battle of the Bay at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

Hampton struck first with a three-pointer from seven-footer Josh Ogundele before the Spartans answered with a 7-0 run capped by an Elijah Jamison triple. The Pirates responded with a 9-4 spurt to take a 12-11 lead, but a deep three from Jordan Leaks off a Jaquel Morris assist pushed NSU back in front, 14-12.

After Hampton tied the game at 14-14, the Spartans regained control with baskets from Dian Wright-Forde and Keyontae Lewis. Wright-Forde later snapped a two-and-a-half-minute scoring drought with a tough layup to put NSU up six, but the Pirates countered with back-to-back buckets to close within two, 20-18, with 5:21 left in the half.

Jamison ignited the Spartans with seven straight points to give NSU a 27-20 advantage. Hampton's Michael Eley answered with four quick points before Anthony McComb III converted an and-one to push the lead to 30-24. However, late threes from Eley and Christian Watson brought the Pirates even at halftime, tied 30-30.

NSU opened the second half strong with baskets from Lewis and Leaks to go up 35-30. Hampton trimmed the lead to two, but the Spartans responded with a 9-2 run to take a 42-35 edge at the 13:54 mark. The Pirates answered again, this time with an 8-0 run, to reclaim a 43-42 lead, sparking a seesaw stretch over the next seven minutes.

The Spartans mounted an 8-0 run fueled by a clutch McComb three-pointer to tie the game at 55-55, followed by a thunderous Morris dunk and a Jamison layup to go ahead 60-55 with just over a minute remaining.

Hampton rallied once more, tying the game at 60-60 with 32 seconds left. The Pirates fouled Jamison, who hit 1-of-2 from the line to give NSU a 61-60 edge. Out of a Hampton timeout, Morris came up with the defensive play of the night, blocking Etienne Strothers' layup attempt and pulling down the rebound before being fouled. He hit one of two free throws to put the Spartans up 62-60.

Hampton's last-second, long-range heave missed at the buzzer, sealing the Spartan victory and extending NSU's winning streak in the rivalry to five straight.

Inside the Box Score

• Elijah Jamison led NSU with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting.
• Anthony McComb III added 13 points (5-of-13) and came up clutch during the late-game run.
• NSU shot 44.2% (23-52) from the field, 38.5% (5-13) from three, and 50% (11-22) at the free throw line.
• Hampton held a narrow rebounding edge, 35-32, and led in assists (8-6) and blocks (2-1).
• NSU led in steals, 6-5, and recorded 28 bench points compared to Hampton's 20.

Up Next
Up next, the Spartans travel to Laramie, Wyoming, for a showdown with the University of Wyoming Cowboys. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.ET/2 p.m. MT.