Hampton University Athletics

EVANSTON, IL. --  A 17-4 second quarter proved to be too much in the season opener for Hampton University as they fell 67-48 to Northwestern University at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Friday afternoon.
 
Hampton opened the game getting three-pointers from Monnzajea Finney-Smith and Malia Tate-DeFreitas to jump out to an early 8-6 advantage.   A swarming defense helped push the lead to as much as eight points in the opening period on a K'Lynn Willis three-point play gave Hampton a 15-7 lead with 1:12 left.
 
Finney-Smith finished the Hampton scoring in the first draining her third triple from the right corner as Hampton held an 18-10 lead after one.
 
In the second, Northwestern turned the pressure around on Hampton as they outscored the Lady Pirates 17-4 in the quarter.   Hampton pushed the lead to 20-12 on a Jephany Brown layup with 8:12 left in the half.   The Wildcats finished the quarter on a 15-2 run as a Lauren Douglas layup gave the hosts a 27-22 lead with 40 seconds left in the half.
 
To start the second half, a Tate-DeFreitas jumper with 8:28 left cut the deficit to 30-24.  Northwestern doubled the margin taking the lead to 42-29 with a Nia Coffey free throw.   Finney-Smith hit her fourth triple of the game to get Hampton to 59-44 with 3:18 left in the game, but that turned to be as close as they got.
 
Leading Hampton in her first game was Finney-Smith with 16 points.  Georgianna Gilbeaux and Jephany Brown were next with six points each. 
 
Hampton now visits Iowa City, Iowa to take on the University of Iowa Sunday at 1pm EST.
 
For more information on Hampton University women's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5906 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com