HAMPTON, Va. (March 3, 2026) ... Hampton closes out the 2025-26 regular-season on March 3 when the Pirates travel 31 miles to Williamsburg to face local rival William & Mary.
The game will be a rematch of the Feb. 7 affair in which the Pirates came away with a 77-74 victory. Trailing 72-71, Hampton outscored the Tribe 6-2 in the final 1:31 for the win. Playing without the team's leading scorer, Michael Eley, Etienne Strothers scored a career-high 18 points for the Pirates. But it was Hampton's physical defense that made the difference. William & Mary was outrebounded 37-29 and went 1-of-15 from three-point range. The Tribe converted 23-of-32 (.719) free throws and Ryan Jackson Jr. came off the bench to score 18 points.
The Tribe has won 12 of 16 match-ups with the Pirates at Kaplan Arena including the last three. Hampton is just 2-11 on enemy courts this season.
Both teams are looking to gain momentum as the CAA Tournament starts March 6-10 in Washington, D.C.
The Game
Coming off a Senior Day 76-67 victory over Northeastern on Feb. 28, Hampton (13-17, 7-10) will be William & Mary's (18-11, 9-8) guest as the Tribe celebrates Senior Day.
Both teams are looking to gain momentum leading into the CAA Tournament which is slated for March 6-10 at Carefirst Arena in Washington, D.C.
While the win over Northeastern was significant, it was the play of senior Michael Eley that brought a smile to Coach Ivan Thomas's face.
Hampton's leading scorer, Eley (13.0 ppg) missed nine games this season with a nagging foot injury. Always an offensive threat, Eley scored 43 points, most in the CAA this season, at Campbell on Jan. 8. Against the Huskies, he tallied 21 points with six boards in 28 minutes
In all, even seniors will be playing their final regular-season game including: Eley, Elijah Kennedy, Xzavier Long, Peter Oduro, Josh Ogundele, Christian Watson and Kody Williams.
Long (9.8 ppg) and Daniel Johnson (9.5 ppg) are threats. Long leads the CAA and is 18th in the nation in rebounding with 9.6 rpg. Etienne Strothers is averaging 6.0 ppg but is averaging 12.5 ppg in the last eight games dating to Jan. 31.
Starting guard Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt (11.4 ppg) is injured and is questionable. Elijah Kennedy (4.7 ppg) has missed the last four games due to injury and is not expected back soon.
