ATLANTA, Ga. (Dec. 18, 2025) … Michael Eley poured in a season high 31 points, while Hampton won game one of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic 84-77.
The Pirates exploded out of the gates Thursday afternoon pouring in 11 points through the first five minutes with four different players registering two or more points. Hampton's 11-9 lead early was in large part thanks to two made three pointers. Over the course of the next four minutes, the Tigers ripped off a 5-3 run to take a small lead with a little over ten minutes remaining in the first frame.
Christian Watson picked up right where he left off from last game, pouring in an early 11 points, while shooting a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc in the first 12 minutes of game action. His nine consecutive points helped the Pirates regain the lead at 24-19 at the under eight media timeout.
Over the course of the remaining eight minutes, the two sides traded baskets with Hampton holding onto a slim 36-35 lead. Watson led the Pirates in the frame with 13 points, while Eley was the other Pirate in double figures with 10. Xzavier Long led the game with 10 rebounds at the break. Hampton shot a blistering 53.8 percent from three in the first half, making 7 of their 13 attempts to take the early advantage into the break.
Long started the second half for the Pirates with a dunk courtesy of a pass from Josh Ogundele to give Hampton a four point lead. Back-to-back layups from Ogundele possessions later continued to extend the Hampton lead before Long capped a 14-8 run with a wing three-pointer to give Hampton a 52-43 lead at the under 16 media timeout.
Defenses settled in for the next six minutes as the two sides combined for just seven points over the time period, with Hampton holding on to a 56-46 lead. After five quick Eley points, and two free throws from Etienne Strothers, Hampton saw its lead grow to 11 with less than eight minutes remaining.
Jackson St. cut into the Pirate lead down the stretch, making it a six point game with five minutes remaining before Watson drained two free throws to push it back to eight at 74-66. Eley followed that possession up with his fourth triple of the day and Hampton once again led by 11. The Tigers made a late push at the Pirates bringing the game within two under a minute, but ultimately it was Eley converting an and-one jumper with 24 seconds left to give Hampton the win 84-77.
Hampton shot 46.2 percent from the field on the night, while draining 10 three pointers. Eley and Watson combined for seven of the team's 10. Long led the way once again for the Pirates on the boards, hauling in a game high 15, as Hampton grabbed 36 compared to Jackson St. 25.
The Pirates return to action Friday, Dec. 19th when they play on day two of the tournament against Grambling St. at 5:00 p.m.
