NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — In a tense, back-and-forth contest that came down to the final second, Norfolk State edged out visiting Hampton 62-60 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at a raucous Echols Hall.

A crowd of 3,912 watched as the Spartans, who led for just over six minutes of the entire game, executed in the final moments to secure the victory and even their season record at 3-3. The Pirates, who led by as many as seven points in the first half, fell to 2-5 with the heartbreaking loss.

The game was a tale of two halves defined by defense and key individual performances. The first half ended in a 30-30 deadlock, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The second half was a grind, with neither team able to establish a significant advantage.

Hampton’s Michael Eley, a 6-foot-4 guard from Fort Wayne, Indiana, led all scorers with 14 points in 25 minutes of action, providing a crucial spark off the bench. His back-to-back layups, one coming off his own steal, in the final two minutes of the first half helped the Pirates keep pace. Daniel Johnson, a 6-foot-5 forward from Chicago, added 15 points for Hampton, while Christian Watson of Lanham, Maryland, chipped in nine points.

For Norfolk State, Elijah Jamison shouldered the offensive load. The 6-foot-3 guard from Louisburg, North Carolina, played a game-high 36 minutes and finished with 18 points, consistently attacking the basket to keep the Spartans within striking distance. Anthony McComb, from Dayton, Ohio, added 13 points in 37 minutes, and Devon Ellis contributed eight points.

The final minute was a whirlwind of lead changes and clutch plays. With the game tied at 60 and under a minute to play, Norfolk State’s Jordan Leaks was fouled and sent to the line for two shots. He missed both, giving Hampton a chance to take the final shot. The Pirates worked the clock down, but a driving layup attempt by Etienne Strothers was blocked by Norfolk State’s Jaquel Morris with one second remaining.

Morris, a 6-foot-8 forward from Brooklyn, New York, was then fouled on the ensuing rebound and sent to the line for two free throws. He calmly sank the first to put the Spartans ahead 61-60 but missed the second. Hampton’s Michael Eley secured the defensive rebound and called a timeout with 0.8 seconds left, giving the Pirates one final desperation heave.

The inbounds pass found Strothers, whose contested three-point attempt from the wing as time expired fell short, sealing the narrow victory for the home team.

The game began with a burst from Hampton, as 7-foot center Josh Ogundele of London, England, won the opening tip and immediately hit a three-pointer to give the Pirates an early lead they would hold for much of the contest. Norfolk State stayed close throughout, relying on a balanced scoring attack and timely defensive stops to hang around before making their final push.

The contest was characterized by its physical nature and sloppy ball handling at times, with both teams combining for numerous turnovers. The defensive intensity was high, leading to several contested shots and difficult scoring opportunities for both sides.

The win gives Norfolk State a positive trajectory as they prepare for a challenging road trip, starting with a game at Wyoming on Sunday. Hampton will look to regroup and break its two-game losing streak when it travels to face Maryland-Eastern Shore on Tuesday.