North Carolina A&T mounted a miraculous comeback that ended with a game one win, clinching victory in the NBA HBCU Classic.
North Carolina A&T and Hampton, who both compete in the Coastal Athletic Association, were invited to compete in the latest edition of the NBA HBCU Classic. The date and time of the game has changed from previous editions, as the Classic usually takes place on the Saturday afternoon before All-Star Saturday night.
Trent Middleton Jr. for leadership.
North Carolina A&T gets a stop for the W.
Wild finale at the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic presented by @To! pic.twitter.com/5LebfdItHN
- NBA (@NBA) 14 February 2026
The game was still thrilling, and its ending was worthy of the huge stage the NBA gave it. As the clock expired, the Aggies were down 70 to 68. North Carolina A&T guard Trent Middleton Jr. brought the ball upfield and was able to penetrate the defense and hit an acrobatic layup that went through the basket. He was also fouled in the game, resulting in an and-one which he ultimately converted at the free-throw line.
With 4.5 seconds left, Hampton still had a chance to cruise to the win. But Jalike Gaines-Wyatt's floater went out and the Aggies prevailed. Gaines-Wyatt and forward Xavier Long both had 17 points for Hampton, who looked like they would go on and secure the win. For the Aggies, Middleton Jr. tallied 15 points, including the game-clinching one, and Lewis Walker had 18 points, with Will Felton contributing 12 points off the bench.
With the win, North Carolina A&T has snapped a four-game losing streak and are set to face Charleston on Thursday at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Hampton was on a two-game win streak after defeating Elon and William & Mary, and will host Hofstra on Thursday at 8 p.m., with the game being televised on CBS Sports Network.
