WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Bryce Harris recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds Saturday to lead Howard to a 61-57 men’s basketball victory over Hampton. The Bison (7-5) held a narrow 31-27 halftime lead and matched the Pirates’ second-half output to secure the win at home. Howard dominated inside, outscoring Hampton 32-22 in the paint. Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt led all scorers with 20 points for Hampton (5-6), while Christian Watson added 15. Harris, who also blocked two shots, anchored a Howard defense that limited opportunities. The Pirates, pregame favorites, could not overcome a cold shooting performance as both teams struggled offensively in a game that finished well below the projected total.

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a game defined more by grit than grace, the Howard Bison outlasted the Hampton Pirates 61-57 in a defensive struggle at Capital One Arena on Saturday. The contest, a non-conference men’s NCAA Division I matchup, saw both teams combine to shoot a frigid 4 for 33 from three-point range and commit 43 personal fouls, leading to a parade to the free-throw line that ultimately decided the outcome. Howard improved to 7-5 on the season, while Hampton fell to 5-6. The most critical sequence unfolded in the final 30 seconds with Howard clinging to a 56-54 lead. Hampton’s Xzavier Long, a Washington, D.C., native, converted a layup while being fouled with 22 seconds remaining. He completed the three-point play at the line, giving the Pirates a fleeting 57-56 advantage—their first lead since the opening minutes of the second half. The lead lasted mere seconds. On the ensuing inbound, Howard’s Bryce Harris received a pass from Ose Okojie of Brampton, Canada, and finished a decisive dunk through traffic with 23 seconds left, putting the Bison back ahead 58-57. Hampton’s attempt to answer ended in a turnover by Christian Watson, who was immediately fouled. Cam Gillus of Falls Church, Virginia, then calmly sank two free throws with 3 seconds left to seal the four-point victory. The game was a tale of offensive inefficiency. Hampton’s shooting woes were historic; the Pirates made just 13 of 50 field goal attempts (26%) and a staggering 1 of 21 from beyond the arc. They stayed competitive through sheer volume at the foul line, attempting 43 free throws but making only 30. Howard was not much better, shooting 40.4% from the floor and 2 of 12 from deep, but they were more effective inside, outscoring Hampton 32-22 in the paint. Howard’s Bryce Harris was the game’s most impactful player, logging 38 minutes and posting a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds to go with two blocks. His interior presence and late-game composure were pivotal. Gillus added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Cedric Taylor chipped in 10 points off the bench. Hampton was carried by the scoring of Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt of Wyandanch, New York, who poured in a game-high 20 points, and Christian Watson of Lanham, Maryland, who added 15 points, largely from an 11-of-14 performance at the free-throw line. Long anchored the defense with 11 rebounds and two blocks. The first half set the tone for a grinding affair. After an early exchange of baskets, Howard used a 7-0 run midway through the period to build a cushion. The Bison led 31-27 at halftime despite both teams shooting under 35% from the field. Hampton’s offensive rating of 80.9 for the game, stemming from 57 points on 70 possessions, underscored their struggles to generate clean looks against Howard’s defense. The second half saw Howard extend its lead to as many as nine points, but Hampton’s relentless effort on the offensive glass—they secured 12 offensive rebounds to Howard’s five—kept them within striking distance. The Pirates chipped away, largely through free throws, setting the stage for the dramatic final minute that saw three lead changes before Howard secured the win. The result defied pregame projections from National Statistical’s ELO system, which had given Hampton a 73.6% probability to win. The Pirates had also been installed as a 3.5-point favorite. The total score of 118 points fell well under the over/under line of 141.5, a testament to the defensive focus and poor shooting that dominated the afternoon. Howard looks ahead to a road game at Drexel on Tuesday. Hampton will next face Jackson State in a neutral-site game at College Park, Georgia, on Thursday.