Hampton thumps Howard in Big Apple Classic
NEW YORK – On college basketball’s grandest stage, the Hampton Pirates showed why they could be one of the nation’s biggest surprises within the mid-major ranks.
Led by All-MEAC First Team guard Rashad West’s 18 points, the Pirates jumped out to a big first-half lead against long-time rival Howard and never looked back in a 65-31 thumping in the second-annual Big Apple Classic at Madison Square Garden.
“It was a good win for our program,” said Hampton coach Kevin Nickelberry. “We had to come out and make our presence felt early. Our guys aren’t intimidated by anyone, and that’s a good thing.”
Having played a competitive non-conference schedule against schools such as Maryland, Tulsa, Delaware and Virginia Commonwealth, the Pirates used that experience to their advantage against an undermanned Bison squad that couldn’t cope with Hampton’s full-court pressure defense and an offensive showing from the Pirates back court.
The more startling statistic on the evening was the Pirates holding Bison guard Eugene Myatt to just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting. That’s an effort Nickelberry says is part of their game plan of keeping key players in check each time.
“We’re going to get after teams for 40 minutes,” he said. “We’ve done a better job of keeping their top scorers from getting points.”
The Bison surprised the Pirates in last year’s inaugural event with an 11-point win. But after a big home victory against Navy, the loss was a tough one to cope with for Howard head coach Gil Jackson.
“We just ran into a very good, experienced basketball team,” said Jackson. “We’re going to have to grow and learn something from this. If you don’t come prepared at this level, you’re gonna get hammered.”
Indeed, the Pirates put on quite an offensive and defensive display for the 7,800 in attendance.
With a predominately Hampton crowd – some doused in blue and white paint – cheering on their MEAC preseason favorite Pirates, Rush got things started with a three-pointer that turned a 7-5 lead into a 15-7 advantage at the eight minute mark of the half. Howard tried to keep it close midway through the period on a dunk by Paul Kirkpatrick, but another three-pointer by Rush made it 23-11 with just over four minutes remaining.
A dunk by Michael Freeman and a steal and layup by Vincent Simpson – both coming after consecutive Bison turnovers – helped Hampton open a 28-13 lead into a 37-15 rout with 15:59 left. Donte’ Harrison’s two-hand slam put the game well out of reach for Howard at the 12:51 mark.
Matthew Pilgrim added 11 points for the Pirates.
In the first game of the “Classic”, Virginia Union knocked off Bowie State, 76-65, in a matchup of Division II powers from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The Panthers, winners of 20 CIAA Championships and three Division II national titles, got 18 points apiece from brothers Brad and Brandon Byerson. Christian Jackson led the Bulldogs also with 18 points.
Notes
- The Classic included an appearance from BET’s 106 And Park celebrity hosts Rocsi and Terrence J, who hosted a drumline and step show competition between all four schools prior to the games.
- Hampton now leads the all-time series against Howard, 37-27, and are 21-4 since 1995-96.
- The Pirates and Bison meet again in Hampton for the regular season finale on March 6.
