HAMPTON, Va. (AP) Deron Powers scored a game-high 22 points to lead Hampton to a 72-62 win over Florida A&M in its conference opener on Saturday night.

Powers was 7 of 12 from the field, including a jumper early in the second half that ignited a 23-6 run that put the Pirates (4-5, 1-0 Mid-Eastern Conference) ahead for good. Du'Vaughn Maxwell contributed 15 points and eight rebounds and Emmanuel Okoroba added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Florida A&M (2-7, 0-2) opened up a lead midway through the first half, building it to a six-point margin, before Hampton stormed back to take a 36-31 advantage into the break. Hampton led by as many as 16 points in the second half but the Rattlers narrowed the gap in the final minutes.