BOXSCORE

DOVER, Del.-The Hampton University Lady Pirates used a late rally to escape with a 58-52 win against Delaware State inside Memorial Hall Gymnasium in Dover, Del. on Saturday afternoon.

Hampton (8-8, 4-3 MEAC) were down by as many as nine points in the first half (18-9), but the Lady Pirates ended the half on an 8-4 run triggered by a lay-up by Ashlee Finley (Harrisburg, Pa. /Harrisburg HS). The Lady Hornets (6-10, 2-4 MEAC) led 28-23 at intermission with 10 of those points courtesy of junior guard Raquel Collier.

Senior center Jade Jones (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands/Good Hope HS) jump started the second half with back-to-back jumpers to give the blue and white its first lead since the games opening minutes (30-28). DSU responded with two quick jumpers by Collier followed by a lay-up by Monet Williams to put the Hornets back on top by three (34-31). A lay-up by Courtnie McKinney (St. Louis, Mo. /University City HS) sparked another Pirate run giving HU a five point advantage (37-42), its biggest lead of the game, with 9:24 remaining. However, a trey by guard Ashlee Burbage and a jumper by Collier opened a 7-0 run by the Hornets rendering the host a five-point lead (47-42) with 4:37 ticks left. Nevertheless, the Lady Pirates mounted a 12-3 run during the games final four minutes to run away with the victory.

The Lady Pirates snap a two-game losing streak, while the Lady Hornets have now lost two in a row.

Hampton was led on the night by junior guard Rachel Butler’s (Dallas, Texas/Lincoln HS) 12 points and game-high seven rebounds. McKinney and freshman guard Whitney Hill (Hampton, Va. /Phoebus HS) chipped in with 11 points respectively.

DSU was paced by Collier’s game-high 21 points and Burbage added 10.

The Lady Pirates will return to the road on January 27 when they travel to Orangeburg, S.C to take on South Carolina State.