NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Hampton University women's basketball team issued a dominating performance on Wednesday night, upending Central Michigan 77-51 at the Fogelman Arena in the opening night of the Tulane/DoubleTree Classic.

The Lady Pirates (9-2) have won two straight and seven of their last eight games. Hampton will take on tournament host Tulane on Thursday at 9 p.m. EST in the tournament's championship game.

Senior guard Choicetta McMillian (Fairfield, Texas) led the way with 17 points, hitting three 3-pointers, while senior guard Jericka Jenkins (Lancaster, Texas) added 16 points and a team-high seven assists. Sophomore forward Ariel Phelps (Virginia Beach, Va.) poured in 11 points and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.

Junior forward Keiara Avant (Chesapeake, Va.) added 11 points in the win.

The Lady Pirates took control immediately, jumping out to a 10-2 lead after a fast-break jumper from Jenkins at the 16:18 mark. Central Michigan answered with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 12-12 after a Jessica Green layup at the 13:46 mark, but McMillian gave Hampton the lead back with a 3-pointer at the 12:11 mark.

Crystal Bradford brought the Chippewas to within three, 29-26, with 5:24 left in the half with a layup, but Hampton ended the half with a 16-3 run to go into the intermission with a 45-29 lead.

Hampton's momentum continued to build early in the second half, using a 13-2 run to go up 58-31 after a Phelps free throw. Hampton's lead eventually ballooned to 31 points, as the Lady Pirates went up 69-38 after an Avant layup with 7:39 to play.

The Lady Pirates shot 40.3 percent (29-for-72) from the floor, while also hitting seven of their 22 3-pointers and 12 of their 20 free throws. Hampton held a 44-38 edge in rebounding, while also forcing Central Michigan into 28 turnovers – scoring 31 points off of them.

Hampton also recorded a season-high 19 steals – six of which came from senior forward Melanie Warner (Tallahassee, Fla.).

Central Michigan (7-6) shot 40.4 percent (21-for-52), but only made one of 17 3-pointers – marking the fourth time this season the Lady Pirates have held an opponent to just one 3-pointer. The Chippewas were just 8-for-13 from the free throw line.

Green led Central Michigan with 17 points.

For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.