DURHAM, N.C. – A strong first half from junior guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas, and a strong second half from sophomore forward Kaylah Lupoe, led the Hampton University women's basketball team to a 76-42 win over North Carolina Central on Monday at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The Lady Pirates improved to 6-12 overall and 4-1 in MEAC play.
 
Tate-DeFreitas went 10-for-15 from the floor in scoring a game-high 24 points, while also grabbing five rebounds and four steals. Seventeen of those points came in the first half. Lupoe added 20 points, five rebounds, and three blocks.

Freshman guard K'lynn Willis added 10 points.
 
In setting a season high in points scored, the Lady Pirates shot a season-best 56.4 percent (31-for-55) from the floor, hitting four of 10 3-pointers and 10 of 13 free throws. Hampton turned 26 NCCU turnovers into 31 points.
 
Even though the Eagles jumped out to an 11-6 lead to open the game, the Lady Pirates ended the first quarter on a 15-1 run, taking a 21-12 lead after a 3-pointer from senior guard Areana Davis. The Lady Pirates held NCCU without a field goal for the last 5:26 of the quarter.
 
That run extended into the second quarter, and a fastbreak layup from freshman guard Dejane' James gave Hampton a 27-13 lead. Morgan Jones ended the run with a layup at the 5:55 mark – NCCU's first field goal since midway through the first quarter.
 
But the Lady Pirates maintained control and led 37-26 at the half.
 
A 14-3 run opened up the third quarter for the Lady Pirates, as they took a 51-29 lead with 4:47 left in the quarter after a layup from Lupoe. Lupoe had 14 points in the second half.
 
Hampton led 57-37 after three quarters of play, and the Lady Pirates held NCCU to just two field goals in the entire fourth quarter. Along the way, Hampton led by as many as 34 points, taking a 76-42 lead after a jumper from Davis.

The Lady Pirates outscored the Eagles 19-5 in the fourth quarter.
 
The Eagles (3-13, 2-4 MEAC) shot just 29.6 percent (16-for-54) from the floor. NCCU held a 40-27 edge on the glass.
 
Kristin Askew led NCCU with 16 points.
 
The Lady Pirates will return to the Convocation Center on Saturday to take on Savannah State at 4 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.