Stony Brook University defeated Hampton University 79-72, extending its winning streak to three games. The Seawolves' victory marked a 7-point margin, with Stony Brook holding a 33-29 lead at halftime and ultimately outscoring the Pirates 46-43 in the second half. The NET rankings for the two teams remain at #210 and #264, respectively.
In a performance that overshadowed the rest of the team, Stony Brook's star guard put up a season-high 32 points, well above his 14.5 points per game average. He also grabbed 7 rebounds, 3 more than his season average of 4. The Pirates' defense was unable to contain him, and his dominance on the court was a key factor in the Seawolves' victory.
Erik Pratt led Stony Brook to victory with a dominant performance, notching 34 points on 11-15 shooting from the field and a perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc. He also contributed with 6 rebounds and 2 assists, showcasing his well-rounded skillset. Pratt's efficiency from the free throw line, where he made 8 of 11 attempts, was also a key factor in his overall output.
Richard Goods provided a solid supporting effort, scoring 15 points on 4-5 shooting from the field and 1-2 from three. He also secured 7 rebounds and dished out 2 assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. Meanwhile, Andrej Shoshkikj chipped in with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, displaying his playmaking capabilities and clutch shooting from the field and the charity stripe, where he went 5-5.
Michael Eley's performance, despite being the team's leading scorer, ultimately fell short of propelling Hampton to victory. His 17 points came on 6-14 shooting from the field and 3-6 from beyond the arc, respectable but not enough to overcome the Seawolves' strong defensive effort. Eley's inability to contribute in other areas, such as rebounding and assists, limited his overall impact on the game.
Kody Williams and Xzavier Long struggled to find their footing, with Williams' six assists the only bright spot on his stat line. Williams' 12 points on 4-8 shooting were not enough to offset his team's struggles, and his zero rebounds raised concerns about his all-around game. Long, meanwhile, was held in check by the Stony Brook defense, converting only 4 of his 11 field goal attempts and committing several turnovers. His lone block and four rebounds were not enough to make up for his struggles on offense.
The supporting casts for both teams largely adhered to their season averages, with few players departing from their established roles.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The pre-game prediction of a 9.3-point margin in favor of Stony Brook proved to be largely accurate, as the Seawolves ultimately claimed a 7-point victory. While the final margin was narrower than anticipated, the outcome itself was consistent with the expectations.
The decisive factors in this game appear to have been Stony Brook's remarkable shooting efficiency and rebounding advantage on the offensive end. The Seawolves' eFG% surged to 64.1%, a 13.4 percentage point increase from their season average, which suggests they were able to capitalize on high-percentage scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Hampton's OREB rate of 25.8% was nearly 11 percentage points lower than their season average, indicating that the Pirates were unable to secure the same level of second-chance opportunities. These two factors combined to give Stony Brook a significant edge on the scoreboard.
The victory for Stony Brook comes at a crucial juncture in their NCAA Tournament resume, as they now hold a win against a Quad 3 opponent, bolstering their chances of securing an at-large bid. With their NET ranking still hovering in the 200s, a strong finish to the season will be essential in improving their seeding prospects, potentially placing them in the 12 or 13 seed range. Conversely, Hampton's loss to a Quad 3 opponent further exacerbates their already precarious NCAA Tournament chances, and their NET ranking may continue to slide, making it increasingly difficult for them to secure an at-large bid, let alone improve their seeding beyond a likely 15 seed. With their season hanging in the balance, Hampton's final stretch will be a defining period in their postseason aspirations.