Campbell defeats Hampton 86-72
Campbell Takes Down Hampton in Conference Showdown
The Campbell University Camels (Away) proved too strong for the visiting Hampton Pirates, claiming an 86-72 victory in a highly anticipated conference matchup at the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center on Thursday night.
In what turned out to be a decisive contest from the outset, the home team, Campbell, dominated the first half with a 43-30 lead at intermission. The Camels' offense was firing on all cylinders, while their defense stifled Hampton's attempts to mount a comeback. As the game wore on, Campbell continued to pull away, maintaining a comfortable margin and never allowing Hampton to get back in the contest.
The turning point came midway through the second half, when Campbell's DJ Smith (26 points, 2-9 3PT, 35.3% FG) sparked a decisive run that put the game out of reach. The Pirates' Michael Eley (43 points, 3-9 3PT, 61.9% FG) kept Hampton in the contest, but ultimately fell short.
Smith was the catalyst for Campbell's victory, with his all-around performance driving the Camels to a convincing win. Muneer Newton added six rebounds and six points off the bench, while DJ Smith chipped in two assists to complete a dominant night.
Hampton's Eley led the way for the Pirates, scoring 43 points on an efficient 61.9% shooting clip from the field. Xzavier Long provided some crucial support with nine rebounds and eight points.
Despite a valiant effort, Hampton was ultimately unable to overcome Campbell's strong team performance. The Camels' balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much for the Pirates to handle.
Game Statistics
Campbell (HOME)
* Field Goals: 22/55 (40.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 12/32 (37.5%)
* 3-Point FG: 10/23 (43.0%)
* Free Throws: 32/38 (84.0%)
* Rebounds: 32 (Off: 12, Def: 20)
* Assists: 8
* Turnovers: 13
* Steals: 8
* Blocks: 2
* Total Fouls: 19
Hampton (AWAY)
* Field Goals: 24/52 (46.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 20/38 (52.6%)
* 3-Point FG: 4/14 (29.0%)
* Free Throws: 20/26 (77.0%)
* Rebounds: 35 (Off: 11, Def: 24)
* Assists: 6
* Turnovers: 21
* Steals: 6
* Blocks: 7
* Total Fouls: 25
The Campbell University Camels' victory marked a crucial win in the conference standings, while Hampton's loss kept their playoff hopes on life support. The Camels will look to build momentum for the remainder of the season, while the Pirates will regroup and refocus ahead of their next matchup.