Monster First Half Run Leads Hampton Over Appalachian State

HAMPTON, Virginia -- A blistering 27-4 run over the final 11 minutes of the first half helped propel Hampton to an 86-53 win over Appalachian State on Wednesday night at the HU Convocation Center.

Another chilly start for Hampton saw the Pirates trail 18-12 at the 10:49 mark of the first half on a jumper from Ronshad Shabazz. The Pirates started their run with a Jermaine Marrow steal and layup and tied the game on a jumper from Akim Mitchell with 8:41 left at 18-all.

The Mountaineers tied the game at 20-all on a pair of Isaac Johnson free throws with 7:28 remaining and that was their last points for the next 6:29 as a Marrow layup put Hampton (5-8) ahead 34-20 with 1:16 left. A triple from Greg Heckstall and a putback by Charles Wilson-Fisher at the horn helped push Hampton to a 39-22 advantage.

In the second half, Hampton broke the game open on the heels of a 25-7 run in the final 7:18 as a Trey Houston jumper in the final minute put Hampton up 86-53.

Malique Trent-Street paced the Pirates with 21 points, while Marrow chipped in with 18 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and six assists. Hampton hit 51.7% from the field (31-60) and was 20-of-24 from the foul line (83.3%). The Pirates outrebounded Appalachian State 45-32 and forced 24 turnovers to go with a season-best 15 steals.

???????Shabazz topped Appalachian State (5-8) with 17 points, while Justin Forrest added 12 and Johnson scored 10 with seven rebounds. The Mountaineers were 17-of-59 from the floor (28.8%), 8-of-30 from 3-point land (26.7%) and 11-of-20 from the foul line (55%).

Hampton returns to action on Friday night heading to #13 Virginia for a 7pm tip at John Paul Jones Arena.

For more information on Hampton men's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

BOX SCORE

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PIRATES ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICAIONS