HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University women's basketball continues to assert itself as one of the top defensive teams in all of Division I, ranking in the top 10 in two major defensive categories in the updated rankings released on Monday.

Through games on Feb. 3, the Lady Pirates (17-5, 8-0 MEAC) are ranked seventh in the nation in both scoring defense and field goal percentage defense. Hampton, which has won eight straight games, is holding opponents to 49.9 points per game, while teams are only shooting 32.7 percent (381-for-1,165) from the floor.

Hampton is also 13th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 25.4 percent shooting (76-for-299) from behind the arc this season. The Lady Pirates are 23rd in the nation in turnover margin at +5.32.

The Lady Pirates are also beating teams by an average of 13.4 points per game, the 28th-best scoring margin in the country.

Senior forward Keiara Avant (Chesapeake, Va.) is 11th in the nation with 13 double-doubles so far this season, coming off a 32-point, 13-rebound performance this past Saturday at Morgan State. She is also 45th in the nation in rebounding, averaging 10.0 boards per contest.

Junior guard Nicole Hamilton (Hampton, Va.) is 50th in the nation with 5.0 assists per game.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Monday, when they take on Coppin State at the Physical Education Complex at 5:30 p.m. 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.