Wilmington, N.C. (Feb. 4, 2024) … UNCW (4-16, 2-7) turned the tables on Hampton (2-17, 2-7) posting a 77-70 victory over the Lady Pirates. Two weeks ago, Hampton defeated the Seahawks in a 72-50 triumph.

UNCW dominated the final quarter of play. With the score tied 47-47 after three quarters, the Seahawks outscored Hampton, 30-23, in the final period to pull away. UNCW converted 16-of-20 free throws in the final quarter and Hampton was assessed two technical fouls in the game's closing seconds.

Hampton was without the services of starting center Janae Dublin and freshman guard Malaka Cobb, both of whom suffered injuries at Charleston two days earlier. Dublin, Hampton averages 9.9 points and is Hampton's top rebounder. Without her inside dominance, the Lady Pirates were outrebounded 48-37. UNCW was also short-handed and dressed only eight players for the game.

Hampton scored the game's first six points before UNCW roared back to take an 8-7 lead with 2:28 left in the opening period. UNCW's Mingaile Umuleviciute scored seven points to stake the Seahawks to a 12-9 lead after one quarter.

A Cheyenne Talbot lay-up with 7:22 to go before halftime tied the score 15-15. UNCW's Kaylah Silver scored seven points in the second stanza to put the Seahawks ahead. But Vanessa Schwarzmann was good on two long three-pointers and had eight second-quarter points as Hampton kept pace. The Seahawks led at intermission, 31-28.

Hampton's leading scorer, Carmyn Hill, was forced to the bench after picking up her second personal foul and went scoreless in the first half. She played just four minutes in the first half. Hill scored 30 points against Charleston in Hampton's last game.

UNCW scored six straight points to start the third quarter to take a 37-28 lead with 6:37 left. The lead grew to as many as 11, 41-30, midway through the third quarter.

But Hill, who leads the Lady Pirates in 12 offensive categories, keyed a comeback. Hill scored 12 of Hampton's 19 third quarter points as the Lady Pirates tied the score, 47-47, after three periods.

After a Hill basket, the Seahawks reeled off six straight points to take a 53-49 lead with 5:33 to go. Ariana Wilkes scored seven of her 12 points in the final quarter as Hampton closed the gap.

A 15-4 UNCW run gave the Seahawks a 62-51 lead with 3:22 left. But the Lady Pirates went on a 15-7 run to close to 69-66 on a trey by Hill. The Seahawks converted their free throws in the final minutes and Hampton was not able to get any closer.

Despite playing just 24 minutes, Hill finished with 20 points. Ariana Wilkes (12) and Le'Asia Foreman (10) tallied double-figures for the Lady Pirates.  UNCW's Mary Ferrito led all scorers with 22 points. Umuleviciute had 20 points and teammate Kylah Silver scored 14 for the Seahawks.

The Lady Pirates return to the Hampton Convocation Center to take in Elon on Friday, Feb. 9 and William & Mary on Sunday, Feb. 11.