LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — A career-high 43 points from Hampton guard Michael Eley was not enough to overcome a disciplined and opportunistic Campbell squad Thursday night, as the Fightin’ Camels secured an 86-72 victory in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball game at the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center.

Campbell improved to 9-8 overall, while Hampton fell to 8-9. A crowd of 1,298 watched as the Fightin’ Camels, who entered as 8.5-point favorites, methodically built and maintained a lead by capitalizing on Hampton’s mistakes and excelling at the free-throw line.

The most important part of the game was Campbell’s first-half response to an early Hampton surge and their subsequent establishment of control through defensive pressure and efficient scoring. After the Pirates opened the game with a quick layup, Campbell quickly settled in. A 13-0 run midway through the first half, fueled by consecutive 3-pointers from Cam Gregory and Jeremiah Johnson, turned a narrow deficit into a 13-2 lead. This run set the tone, as Hampton spent the rest of the night playing catch-up against a Campbell team that rarely relinquished its advantage.

Campbell’s defense was the catalyst, forcing 20 Hampton turnovers and converting them into 26 points. The Fightin’ Camels also dominated at the charity stripe, making 32 of 38 attempts compared to Hampton’s 20 of 26. This combination proved insurmountable for the Pirates, who struggled to find consistent offense outside of Eley’s spectacular individual effort.

Eley, a 6-foot-4 guard from Fort Wayne, Indiana, was phenomenal, playing 30 minutes and scoring his 43 points on a mix of drives, mid-range jumpers and free throws. He added a steal and a block, but received limited support. Xzavier Long was the only other Hampton player in double figures with eight points.

Campbell countered with a balanced and efficient offensive attack. Point guard DJ Smith of Dallas led the way with 26 points, consistently breaking down the Hampton defense and getting to the line, where he made 10 of 11 free throws. Gregory, from Accokeek, Maryland, added 17 points, including three 3-pointers, along with two assists and two blocks. Johnson, of Del City, Oklahoma, contributed 18 points, primarily from the free-throw line where he was 10 of 12.

The Fightin’ Camels took a 43-30 lead into halftime and maintained a double-digit cushion for nearly the entire second half. Every time Hampton threatened to cut the lead to single digits, Campbell answered, often with a 3-pointer or a drive resulting in foul shots. The Pirates managed to narrow the gap to 11 points on several occasions in the final period, but could get no closer, as Campbell’s steady execution and free-throw shooting closed the door.

Statistically, the game was a contrast in styles. Hampton won the battle in the paint, 36-22, and on the fast break, 26-15, a testament to Eley’s driving ability and the team’s effort in transition. However, Campbell’s superior 3-point shooting (10 of 23 to Hampton’s 4 of 14) and their massive advantage in points off turnovers proved decisive. Campbell also committed only 13 turnovers, giving Hampton just 14 points off those miscues.

Both teams return to CAA action on Saturday. Hampton travels to face the College of Charleston, while Campbell heads to Elon.