Hampton University
Virginia Union (Exhibition)
Hampton Drops Virginia Union in Men’s Hoops Exhibition 79-61
10.10.26 | Men's Basketball
HAMPTON, Va. (October 10, 2026) … Fans got their first look at the 2026-27 edition of the Hampton basketball team when the Pirates squared off against Virginia Union in a exhibition game at the Convocation Center. With an enthusiastic audience on hand, the Pirates overcame a slow start to pull away in the first half to register a 79-61 triumph over the Panthers.
Hampton's Aaron Davis III, a transfer from Bryant University, led all scorers with 24 points with six three-pointers to go along with five boards and three assists. Also scoring in double figures
for the Pirates were senior Etienne Strothers (15) and fifth-year Jayme Mitchell Jr. (12), a transfer from Jackson State University.
Thirteen players saw action for the Pirates with none playing more than 26 minutes. Hampton shot 45.3 percent from the floor with a dozen treys while clicking on 19-of-24 from the free throw line.
The first official points of the unofficial start to the 2026-27 season came on a free throw by newcomer Cornelius Robinson III, a transfer from CAA foe Monmouth University. Both teams struggled to score in the first 10 minutes of the contest and the Pirates missed their first seven field goal attempts. Virginia Union led 12-10 midway through the first half.
With Hampton leading 21-19, two free throws by sophomore transfer Rav Randhawa spurred a 16-0 run that put the Pirates ahead 37-19 in the first half's final minute. Back-to-back-to-back-to-back three-pointers highlighted the run including two by the senior Strothers. The Panthers snapped the run with a free throw in the final seconds. Hampton led 37-20 at intermission.
Davis, who scored a game-high 10 points in the first half, tallied the first points of the second stanza with a trey to put the Pirates up 40-20. Virginia Union was unable to make a run the rest of the way.
The Pirates return four players from the 2025-26 squad that posted a 13-19 record. Thirteen new players dot this year's roster. Top returners for Coach Ivan Thomas's team are the explosive Strothers (6.2 ppg in 2025-26), Hampton's leading scorer among returnees, and outside marksman Aidan Haskins (3.0 ppg), who returns for his sophomore season. Strothers caught fire and averaged 11.0 points per contest after Feb. 1 last season while Haskins was honored as the team's Newcomer of the Year after last year.
Virginia Union finished with a 25-6 mark a year ago and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Pirates open the 2026-27 season in Atlanta, Ga., when Hampton faces Georgia Tech on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
