HAMPTON, Va. (Jan. 21. 2024) … Hampton (1-14, 1-5) broke into the win column in a big way with a 72-50 conquest over Coastal Athletic Association foe UNCW (3-14, 1-5) before 708 fans at the Hampton Convocation Center. 

Hampton's swarming, aggressive defense forced 32 UNCW turnovers which led to 36 --- exactly half of Hampton's points --- and the 72 points were the most in any game for the Lady Pirates this season. Janae Dublin (21) and Amyah Reaves (18) both set career scoring highs.

UNCW's Taylor Henderson, the CAA's fifth-leading scorer, was limited to just seven points --- all free throws. The Seahawks were able to keep Hampton's leading scorer, Camryn Hill, in check. The senior scored six points, five rebounds and two steals.

Hampton's defense forced 10 Seahawk turnovers in the opening quarter, turning them into 12 points as the Lady Pirates took a 20-11 lead. UNCW closed to 20-17 at the end of the first quarter by converting seven free throws.

The Seahawks battled back and outscored the Lady Pirates, 14-3, largely from the free throw line. With Hill on the bench with three fouls, UNCW and took the lead, 23-22, on two free throws by Kylah Silver midway through the second quarter.

But UNCW's lead didn't last long. Hampton battled back as Aisha Dabo scored seven straight Hampton points and the Lady Pirate defense stiffened, forcing seven more turnovers in the final minutes of the half. An 18-9 run to close out the second quarter put Hampton ahead, 41-32.

Dublin scored 10 of her 16 first-half points in the second quarter and Dabo added seven points in the second stanza, spurring Hampton's scoring run. Reaves scored 10 points in the opening half with three steals.

Hampton pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring UNCW, 24-8. The Lady Pirates reeled off 11 straight points and forced six Seahawks turnovers to start the third quarter. Hampton went ahead, 52-32, after a three-pointer by Cheyenne Talbot. The lead grew to 25 late in the third quarter and a Dabo basket gave the Lady Pirates a 65-40 advantage after three quarters.

A 6-1 UNCW run to start the fourth quarter closed the gap to 66-46, as Hampton's deliberate offense ran down the clock. The Lady Pirates turned the ball over 11 times in the final quarter but the Seahawks were unable to decipher Hampton's defense. UNCW outscored Hampton, 10-7, in the final quarter.

The Lady Pirates return to action on Friday, Jan. 26 when Hampton hosts Monmouth at the Hampton Convocation Center in a 7:00 p.m. contest.