HAMPTON, Va. (Dec. 29, 2025) … Hampton (7-7, 1-0) rallied from a 10-point second half deficit to defeat Stony Brook (8-6, 0-1) in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opener for both teams. Coach Ivan Thomas's team trailed 55-45 with 8:09 left but outscored the Seawolves 17-4 down the stretch to open the conference play with a victory.

The Pirates had four players score double figures on the night led by Xzavier Long, who registered a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards. Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt tallied 12 points with Daniel Johnson and Christian Watson each finishing with 11.

It marked the eighth consecutive victory for the Pirates at the Convocation Center dating back to last season.

"I think we established some of our identity tonight," Thomas said. "We kept fighting and played tough, tough defense. I'm extremely proud of our effort and the grit we showed when we fell behind."

After a closely fought first half in which there were eight lead changes and three ties, the Seawolves nudged ahead 34-33 at intermission. Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and Stony Brook's Erik Pratt led all scorers with 12 points --- he would finish with 20 points for the night. The left-handed Pratt is the CAA's fifth-leading scorer sporting an 18.1 average.

Stony Brook jumped to a quick 5-2 advantage before Hampton responded to take a 10-7 lead at the 16:00 mark. The Seawolves reeled off 10 consecutive points to lead 17-10 while clicking on 8-of-10 field goal attempts. But a 10-2 Pirate run put Hampton back on top 20-19 on a Johnson trey. Stony Brook scored the game's next six points and Hampton responded with a five-point rally to tie the score 25-25 with 6:59 left.

Hampton's swarming defense forced three Stony Brook turnovers in first three minutes of second half and an 8-3 run put the Pirates ahead 41-36 lead with 16:10 to go, Hampton's biggest lead of the game.

But the Seawolves scored 19 of the next 23 points to lead by 10,55-45, at the 8:09 mark. But a 12-2 run by the Pirates knotted the score 57-57 on a Johnson free throw and Christian Watson put the Pirates ahead 59-57 with 2:05 left. Stony Brook's Ethan Simmons tied the score with a driving lay-up before Gaines-Wyatt made three free throws in the game's final 1:02 to ice the win for the Pirates. Hampton's tough defense held the Seawolves to 1-of-8 shooting down the stretch.

The Pirates host Towson in a CAA contest on New Year's Eve at 2:30 p.m. at the Convocation Center.