Hampton Pirates put clamps on Norfolk State Spartans

Photo: Rashad West, 6-1/175 senior guard, Raleigh, N.C., Maine Central Institute, led the second place MEAC Pirates in scoring with 18 points over NSU.

NORFOLK - Coming off its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss this season Monday against Morgan State, Hampton University decided to make itself at home in Echols Hall Saturday night. The Pirates used their signature defensive intensity to hold down high-scoring Norfolk State for a 62-58 victory in a matchup of one-loss teams in the MEAC.

The sellout crowd of 7,000 was the largest at home for NSU since March 2, 2002. Hampton (12-7, 6-1 MEAC) was powered by guard Rashad West's 18 points and 11 from Vinny Simpson off the bench. Forward Mike Freeman scored nine points, and post Matt Pilgrim had 10 rebounds.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND VIEW BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

HU Vinny Simpson providing instant offense and comic relief

Photo: Vincent Simpson, 6-1 guard, Sophomore, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cardinal Dougherty H.S.

HAMPTON--If guard Rashad West is known as the general on Hampton University's men's basketball team, teammate Vinny Simpson has to be the jester. The effervescent sixth man is providing as much offensive punch off the bench as he is one liners in the locker room. Even though the latter sometimes elicit something between a grimace and a death stare from Pirates coach Kevin Nickelberry.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.