ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Hampton scored the last six points in the final 30 seconds to pull out a 61-58 win over UNC Asheville on Tuesday night in a Big South Conference contest in Asheville, N.C.

Trailing 58-55 after a Tiffany Wilson free throw with 41 seconds left, Hampton got a free throw from Laren VanArsdale with 30 seconds left to trim it to 58-56.  Her second free throw was missed but LaShayla Wright-Ponder stuck back the miss to even the game at 58. 

Asheville called timeout and VanArsdale stole the inbounds pass before getting fouled with 23 seconds left and hit both foul shots for a 60-58 lead.  The Lady Pirates forced another turnover and Mahaley Holit went 1-of-2 with 16 seconds left to take the 61-58 lead.

The host Bulldogs had a pair of shots bounce long late and Hampton gave UNC Asheville its first loss of the season inside Kimmel Arena in six games.
Ashley Bates scored 17 points and matched her career high with seven steals to lead three in double figures.  Wright-Ponder had 12 points and tied her career best with 11 boards, while Kaylah Lupoe added 14 points for Hampton (6-7, 2-0).  VanArsdale, while missing all seven shots from the floor almost joined them in double figures going 9-for-10 from the foul line.  Holit had eight points, seven boards, four steals and three assists.

Hampton opened the game down 9-0 before taking their first lead of the game on the heels of a 7-0 run as a pair of Lupoe free throws put Hampton up 25-23 with 2:11 left in the half.

The Lady Pirates hit the home floor for the first time in Big South action on Thursday at 5pm when they face preseason top pick Radford in the first game of a doubleheader.  The men's team will follow with Charleston Southern 30 minutes after the conclusion of that game.

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.

POST-GAME NOTES

• Bates now has had seven steals in a game for the third time in her career having had that against Delaware State on Jan. 12, 2018 and earlier this year against Mid-Atlantic Christian.
• Wright-Ponder started off conference play with career best 11 rebounds against Charleston Southern and UNC Asheville
• The win marked the second win all-time against UNC Asheville.