WASHINGTON — In an exhilarating matchup, Hampton triumphed over Howard with a score of 80-79 in an overtime thriller on Saturday night, largely thanks to George Beale’s impressive performance off the bench, where he contributed 28 points.

During the closing moments of the overtime period, Hampton surged, scoring eight critical points. The decisive moment came from Wayne Bristol Jr., who executed a remarkable four-point play, enabling Hampton to steal the lead at 80-79 with just eight seconds remaining on the clock.

Beale’s shooting was a highlight for the Pirates, as he made 8 of 18 attempts from the field, including 5 of 13 from beyond the arc, and maintained a perfect record at the free-throw line with 7 of 7. Alongside him, Noah Farrakhan supported the team with 16 points, showcasing efficiency by shooting 4 of 7 from the field and 7 of 8 from the foul line. The Pirates improved their season record to 11-12 overall and 3-7 in the Coastal Athletic Association.

On the other side, the Bison had a standout performance from Blake Harper, who scored a remarkable 35 points in the game. His scoring prowess was complemented by Marcus Dockery, who added 12 points, while Jaren Johnson contributed with 11 points and recorded two steals. With this outcome, Howard’s record now stands at 8-13 overall and 3-1 within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.