In a shocking turn of events, Hampton took down Elon 87-79 at the Convocation Center, pulling off a significant upset that will surely send ripples through the college basketball world. The Pirates, with a record of 11-13, were not given much of a chance against the 13-11 Elon Phoenix, especially considering CHD Scout had predicted a narrow Elon win by just 0.2 points. However, Hampton had other plans, riding the coattails of Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt's 23-point performance to secure the 8-point victory.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows in the first half. Hampton and Elon ended the first period tied at 33-33, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. The Pirates came out strong, with Gaines-Wyatt and Daniel Johnson leading the charge. Johnson chipped in with 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Etienne Strothers added 18 points of his own. Despite Elon's Chandler Cuthrell putting on a show with 32 points and 10 rebounds, Hampton's balanced attack proved too much for the Phoenix to handle.
Cuthrell's impressive performance was not enough to overcome the Pirates' collective effort, as Hampton's trio of top performers outpaced Elon's supporting cast. Ned Hull and Ja'Juan Carr added 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Phoenix, but it was not enough to stem the tide. As the final buzzer sounded, Hampton celebrated a monumental upset, one that will undoubtedly boost their confidence and morale.
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The implications of this result cannot be overstated. For Hampton, this win represents a much-needed boost to their tournament resume, even if it is a Quad 4 victory. The Pirates still have a long way to go, but this upset will certainly give them a glimmer of hope. On the other hand, Elon will be left to ponder what could have been, as this loss will likely drop them in the NET rankings. The Phoenix had been sitting at 175, but this Quad 4 loss will not help their cause.
In terms of tournament chances, this result is a significant blow to Elon's hopes. The Phoenix had been hovering around the bubble, but this loss will make it even more difficult for them to secure a spot in the Big Dance. Hampton, on the other hand, still has a steep hill to climb, but this win will give them a faint glimmer of hope. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams want to build on this result, with Hampton seeking to ride the momentum of this upset and Elon looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss. The Pirates' upset victory will undoubtedly be a talking point in the college basketball world, and it will be interesting to see how both teams respond in the coming weeks.