BOXSCORE
HAMPTON-Va.-The Hampton University women’s basketball team improved to 10-9 on the season and 6-4 in the MEAC by defeating Bethune-Cookman College 72-65 inside the HU Convocation Center on Saturday night. It was a big night for guard Rachel Butler (Dallas, Texas/Lincoln HS) as she scored 13points, including her 1,000th career point with 2:11 left in the first half. She becomes the 20th player in the history of the women’s basketball program to reach the 1,000 point plateau. Teammate Stephanie James (Colorado Springs, Colo. /Sierra HS) also posted a big night with a career-high 18-points with 15 from downtown.
After Falling to North Carolina A&T on Monday night, the Lady Pirates of HU came back to win their first MEAC home contest. Leading 27-20 at the half, Hampton rolled along through the second half with points from the bench and turnovers. The blue and white reserves outscored the Lady Wildcat bench 30-5 in the second stanza while taking advantage of 11 Lady Wildcat turnovers in order to score 20 second half points.
With the lead growing to as many as eight (42-34) with 12:35 left in the contest, Bethune-Cookman (4-16, 1-9 MEAC) put together a nice run that eventually cut the Lady Pirates’ lead down to two (44-42). A basket by the Lady Wildcat Tristan McCray and a lay-up by Cassandra Colcagno brought some spark to the visitors. But down the stretch the HU backcourt took charge and posted a 17-6 run over the next six minutes to run away with the victory.
In the first half, the Wildcats, who have now lost six straight jumped out to an early 12-7 lead with 11:58 ticks left. Nevertheless, the Pirates quickly answered with a 9-2 run to give HU the lead (14-12) at 9:04. BCC responded with a 6-3 spurt of their own to give them a one point advantage (18-17) with 4:52 on the clock. However Butler’s lay-up at 2:11 sealed the lead for the Lady Pirates as they took a seven point advantage into the locker room at halftime
The Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman were topped in scoring on the night by McCray and Calcagno with 13 points apiece.
HU will continue its home stand Monday, February 5 against Florida A&M at 6 p.m.
