Pirates Fall to Kent State in the Opening Round of Paradise Jam

Friday, November 17

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

5:45 PM EST/6:45 PM AST

Hampton University

1-3,0-0CAA

100

Kent State

3-1,0-0MAC

Team	1	2	F
Hampton	36	26	62
Kent St.	55	45	100

Pirates Fall to Kent State in the Opening Round of Paradise Jam

11.17.23 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

ST. THOMAS, V.I. (Nov 17, 2023) … Hampton University men's basketball team fell to Kent State 100-62 in the opening round of Paradise Jam. The Golden Flashes hit a season-high 12 threes while shooting 46% from the field. HU's bench would have over half of the Pirates scoring.

How it Happened

Hampton would have a slow start only scoring six points before the first media timeout. During this stretch sophomore Kyrese Mullen led the way scoring all six points. He finished the contest with a team-high 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. Mullen's playing time in the first half would be limited since he was in foul trouble early.

Kent State opened the contest on a 16-6 run helping them take a quick 10-point lead. At the 14-minute mark, HU made it a six-point game with a jumper from Ja'Von Benson and a layup from Tristan Maxwell. However, the Golden Flashes went on a 12-0 run to gain an 18-point advantage. In the first half, Kent State shot 59% from the field.

Throughout the remainder of the first 20 minutes, KSU's lead hovered around the 20-point mark. However, heading into the half, Jerry Deng made a jumper to make it (55-36). Deng would have a career-high eight points.

With the Pirates shooting 50% from three in the second half, HU kept the Golden Flashes advantage in check. With Kyrese Mullen out of foul trouble, he produced 11 points in the final 20 minutes. Tristan Maxwell also had a solid second half for the Pirates scoring seven points.

The Golden Flashed 14-2 run to close out the contest helping them take their largest advantage of the night. During the final four minutes, the Pirates would make a pair of free throws.

What's Next

Hampton's next matchup in the Paradise Jam will be tomorrow at 5:45 PM against Florida Gulf Coast. So far this season the Eagles only have one win this season. Last year FGCU accumulated a (17-15) overall record. Florida Gulf Coast fell in their first matchup of the tournament to Missouri State 70-61.