Pellum leads Hampton past Norfolk State 86-72
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Darrion Pellum scored 26 points and Hampton pulled away in the second half to defeat Norfolk State 86-72 on Saturday night, sweeping the season series.
The league-leading Pirates (19-5, 9-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) have won four straight and seven of their last eight.
Kwame Morgan added 19 points and Brandon Tunnell 15.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After the Spartans (7-16, 5-6) led 32-31 at halftime, Hampton opened the second half on a 6-0 run, sparked by Pellum's 3-pointer, to take the lead for good.
Norfolk State got to 49-45 with 10:37 left, but the Pirates answered with an 8-2 run, punctuated by a pair of Danny Agbelese dunks, to push the lead to 10.
The teams combined for 79 free-throw attempts, with Hampton making 29 of 44 and the Spartans 27 of 35.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Pirates scored 26 points off 18 Norfolk State turnovers.
Kyle O'Quinn's 17 points and 11 rebounds paced the Spartans.