HAMPTON, VA. – Celebrating Senior Day, junior Ashley Bates exploded for a career –high 34 points and broke a 31-year Big South Conference record with 122 steals on the season as Hampton defeated Winthrop.

With the win, Hampton (16-13, 12-6) finished alone in third place in the regular season and will play at High Point in the Big South Quarterfinals on Thursday night.  The Lady Pirates will take on the winner of #6-seed Campbell and #11-seed Longwood at 8 pm in High Point, N.C.

Bates broke a 20-year Big South Conference record with her 122^nd steal of the season.  She had seven on the game for the fourth time this season to break the previous record of 121 by Julia Skinner of Campbell in 1987-88.  She had a career-high 34 points to lead three in double figures adding six rebounds and three assists.  Bates entered the game leading the conference in scoring and ranked

Kaylah Lupoe, honored in a pre-game ceremony for her final regular season game on the HU Convocation Center floor had 15 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.  She enters the Big South Conference Tournament with 201 career blocked shots. Mahaley Holit just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine assists.

Hampton broke the game open with a 20-0 run over a 7 ½ minute span as they held the Eagles to 0-for-6 from the field and 10 turnovers in 16 possessions.  The Lady Pirates outscored Winthrop 25-6 in the second quarter and cruised from there.

For more information on Hampton University women's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.