HAMPTON, Va. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle where points were at a premium, the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team executed down the stretch to secure a 62-57 victory over Hampton on Sunday at the Convocation Center.

The Aggies, who led for nearly the entire contest but could never fully shake the persistent Pirates, improved to 8-12 overall. Hampton fell to 9-12. The game was a Big South Conference matchup.

North Carolina A&T built its lead in the first half, taking a 27-26 advantage into the break despite both teams struggling offensively. The Aggies extended their margin slightly in the third quarter, outscoring Hampton 19-17 to carry a 46-43 lead into the final period.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute with the outcome still in doubt. Leading 58-54 after a driving layup by Paris Locke with 55 seconds remaining, the Aggies forced a crucial turnover on Hampton’s ensuing possession. Following a timeout, Locke was fouled and made both free throws with 16 seconds left to push the lead to six points.

Hampton’s Kayla Lezama hit a deep 3-pointer with just four seconds on the clock to cut the deficit to 60-57, but the Pirates were immediately forced to foul. North Carolina A&T’s Jamyia Lindsey calmly sank two free throws with two seconds remaining to seal the five-point victory.

The game was characterized by tenacious defense and frequent turnovers. Both teams combined for 45 giveaways, with Hampton committing 24. The Aggies capitalized with 15 points off those Pirate miscues, a key factor in the tight contest.

Kiarra Mcelrath of Hampton was the game’s leading scorer, pouring in 23 points on 10-of-23 shooting from the floor. The guard from Columbus, Ohio, also added three steals in 38 minutes of action. Olivia Smith facilitated the Hampton offense, dishing out a game-high seven assists.

For North Carolina A&T, balance and interior presence proved decisive. Paris Locke, a 6-foot guard from Baltimore, led the Aggies with 18 points, including several critical baskets in the fourth quarter, and added three steals. Her backcourt partner, Crystal Hardy of Cheltenham, Maryland, provided a vital spark off the bench with 10 points.

The Aggies’ significant size advantage, anchored by 6-foot-4 center Chaniya Clark of Fort Myers, Florida, was a persistent problem for Hampton. Clark finished with 13 points, two assists and a block, controlling the paint on both ends. Fellow forward Darrionna Howard of Smithfield, North Carolina, contributed eight points, four assists and a block.

Hampton’s defense, led by Aisha Dabo’s three blocks and two steals, kept the Pirates within striking distance throughout. Le’Asia Foreman added three steals for Hampton.

The win gave North Carolina A&T a regular-season sweep of the series, having also defeated Hampton 70-57 on Jan. 18 in Greensboro.

The Aggies shot marginally better from the field, but both teams finished below 40 percent. Free throw shooting became paramount late, with North Carolina A&T making 10 of 14 attempts in the fourth quarter alone.

An announced crowd of 427 at the Convocation Center watched as the Aggies snapped a two-game losing skid, while the Pirates saw a two-game win streak come to an end.

North Carolina A&T will look to build momentum when it hosts Elon on Friday. Hampton travels to face Drexel, also on Friday.