HAMPTON, Va. – As the 2012-13 regular season wraps up, the Hampton University women's basketball is ranked in the top five in two major defense categories, according to the most recent NCAA Division I rankings released on Monday.

Through games on March 3, the Lady Pirates (23-5, 14-0 MEAC) are fourth in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 49.3 points per game. Hampton has held its last six opponents under 60 points, and their 21 opponents under 70 points.

The Lady Pirates are fifth in the nation in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 32.8 percent shooting (485-for-1,480) from the floor. Hampton is seventh in turnover margin at +6.21.

Hampton is also 12th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage defense, as opponents are only hitting 25.4 percent (88-for-347) of their shots from behind the arc. The Lady Pirates are beating opponents by an average of 15.1 points per game, the 21st-best scoring margin in the nation.

The Lady Pirates are also 22nd in winning percentage at .821.

Hampton has won its last 14 games, tying its second-longest winning streak as a Division I program – and it is also tied for the 11th-longest active winning streak in Div. I. The Lady Pirates have also won their last 12 home games, tied for the 10th-longest such streak in the nation.

One more win will tie the Lady Pirates' program record for longest Div. I winning streak.

In the individual rankings, senior forward Keiara Avant (Chesapeake, Va.) sits 13th in the nation in double-doubles with 17 – after her 19-point, 15-rebound performance this past Saturday against Florida A&M.

She is also 35th in the nation with a MEAC-high 10.2 rebounds per game.

Junior guard Nicole Hamilton (Hampton, Va.) is 33rd in the nation in assists, averaging 5.4 per contest.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Monday, when they take on Bethune-Cookman at the HU Convocation Center at 6 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.