Charleston's Colby Duggan stole the show at TD Arena, scoring 22 points to propel the Cougars to a 74-70 win over Hampton. The victory marked Charleston's 13th win of the season, with the team now boasting a 13-8 record. Duggan's impressive performance was complemented by Jlynn Counter's 19 points and 7 assists, as the duo led the charge for the Cougars.
The game got off to a slow start, with Charleston taking a narrow 28-26 lead into halftime. However, the Cougars came out strong in the second half, outscoring Hampton 46-44 to secure the win. Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt was the standout performer for Hampton, scoring 17 points in a valiant effort to keep his team in the game. Daniel Johnson and Michael Eley also chipped in with 14 points each for the Pirates.
Despite being the higher-ranked team, Charleston was pushed to the limit by Hampton. The Pirates' net ranking of 243 made this a Quadrant 3 game for them, while it was a Quadrant 4 matchup for the Cougars. The close margin of victory was a reflection of Hampton's determination, but ultimately, Charleston's depth and home-court advantage was the deciding factors.
The win was a crucial one for Charleston, as it helps to bolster their resume ahead of the tournament season. With a current net ranking of 174, the Cougars are still on the outside looking in when it comes to NCAA Tournament contention. However, victories like this one will be vital in their pursuit of a postseason berth. On the other hand, Hampton's loss drops them to 10-11 on the season, and while they showed promise in this game, they must string together more wins to make a serious push for tournament consideration.
Charleston's performance was notable for its balance, with multiple players contributing to the scoring effort. Christian Reeves added 8 points and 5 rebounds, providing a spark off the bench for the Cougars. Meanwhile, Hampton's offense was led by the trio of Gaines-Wyatt, Johnson, and Eley, who combined for 45 points. Despite their best efforts, however, the Pirates were unable to overcome the Cougars' strong team defense.
In the end, Charleston's victory was a hard-fought one, and the team want to build on this momentum as they continue their season. The win may not have been a dominant one, but it was an important one, and the Cougars will take it as they strive to improve their tournament chances. With the Quadrant 4 win, Charleston takes a small step forward in their pursuit of a postseason spot, while Hampton's Quadrant 3 loss serves as a reminder of the challenges they still face in their own tournament aspirations.