Hampton falls in MEAC title game, misses out on NCAA bid

Tyler Snead | Staff Writer

Malique Trent-Street scored 15 for top-seeded Hampton in the MEAC men’s basketball tournament title game, but the Pirates fell to sixth-seeded North Carolina Central 71-63 on March 10 in Norfolk.

The Eagles advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Texas Southern 64-46 on March 14.

Hampton and N.C. Central both finished 19-16.

Earlier in the season, the Pirates stomped the Eagles by 16.

In the MEAC tourney, Hampton led 28-27 at the half.

The second half is when the tables turned. North Carolina Central was able to increase the pressure on defense, causing Hampton to miss a lot of shots and begin the half slowly. With the Pirates stumbling, the Eagles sprinted and grabbed an eight-point lead. Hampton was able to battle back a little past the 10-minute mark.

The Pirates, who were once down 10, fought to tie it 58-58.

Over the last five minutes, North Carolina Central’s defense held Hampton to five points to lock up the MEAC championship.

Kalin Fisher and Akim Mitchell added 11 points each for the Pirates, who will only lose three players to graduation.