Game Notes

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University women's basketball team will hold its 2012-13 home opener on Friday, as the Lady Pirates square off against Louisiana State University at 7 p.m. in the HU Convocation Center.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The Lady Pirates (2-0) defeated Mississippi State 56-48 on Monday in Starkville, Miss. behind a 19-point, 16-rebound effort from senior forward Keiara Avant (Chesapeake, Va.), the reigning MEAC Player of the Week.

Junior forward Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.) and junior guard Nicole Hamilton (Hampton, Va.) each added 14 points for the Lady Pirates.

LSU (1-0) opened its season on Sunday with a come-from-behind 72-70 win over Wichita State. Senior guard Bianca Lutley had a team-high 19 points, while senior guard Adrienne Webb added 17 points. Junior guard Jeanne Kenney added 13 points.

Junior forward Theresa Plaisance pulled down a team-high 15 rebounds.

The Lady Tigers went 23-11 overall last season, finishing tied for fourth in the SEC with a mark of 10-6 in conference play and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. LSU, in its second season under head coach Nikki Caldwell, returns three starters and six letterwinners from last season and was picked to finish sixth in the SEC.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Hampton and LSU.

The Lady Pirates are 2-8 all-time against schools from the SEC, with a win over Florida in 2010-11 and the victory at Mississippi State this past Monday. After Friday's game against LSU, the Lady Pirates will have one more game this season against an SEC opponent, taking on South Carolina on Nov. 22 as part of the Paradise Jam.

Hampton is 0-2 against Alabama; 0-1 against Arkansas; 1-2 against Florida; 0-1 against Georgia; 0-1 against Kentucky; 1-0 against Mississippi State; and 0-1 against Vanderbilt.

Under head coach David Six, the Lady Pirates are 29-6 at the HU Convocation Center over the past three seasons — including a 9-1 record at home last season. Hampton's lone home loss last season came in overtime against Coppin State, 69-66 on Jan. 28.

Prior to that loss, the Lady Pirates had won 16 straight home games under Six. The Lady Pirates have won their last four home non-conference games dating back to the 2010-11 season.

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.