ELON, N.C. (Jan. 10, 2025) … Hampton (4-10, 0-3) battled back from a 12-point third quarter deficit to take a four-point lead in the fourth quarter before falling to Elon (8-6, 2-1) 59-51 in a CAA contest. The Phoenix made six straight free throws and went 3-for-3 from the field to stave off the Hampton comeback.

Tip-off was moved to 5:00 from 7:00 due to an impending storm predicted to blanket the area with five inches of snow overnight.

Hampton got off to a quick start and led 5-2 in the opening minutes of the game. But Elon bounced back and scored 12 of the next 14 points --- all inside the paint --- to lead 12-7 in the quarter's waning moments. The Phoenix led 12-9 after the first period. Elon shot 54.5 percent from the field with six lay-ups.

A pair of free throws and three layups boosted Elon's lead to 20-9 with 7:35 left before halftime. A bucket by CeCe Thomas and one by Diamond Wiggins followed by a free throw by Amyah Reaves closed the gap to 20-14 at the 2:01 mark. Elon's first 11 baskets were all inside the paint before a jumper by Iycez Adams in the closing seconds of the second quarter. The basket put the Phoenix ahead 26-18 at intermission.

Jasha Clinton tallied seven of Hampton's 18 first half points while seven Phoenix players scored led by Alyssa Ervin and Jayda Angel with six points apiece. The Phoenix shot 33.3 percent from the field in the second quarter. Hampton shot 26.7 percent from the field with nine points in each of the first two quarters.

The Phoenix scored the first four points of the third quarter to open a 12-point lead, 30-18, its largest of the game. A basket and then a free throw by Clinton followed by a layup by Arina Nikishina closed the gap to 34-29 midway through the third quarter. After the two teams traded baskets, Le'Asia Foreman converted two free throws before a Phoenix basket made it 38-33. Tiani Abrams made two free throws to make it 38-36 after three quarters. Hampton scored 18 points in the third quarter, equaling its scoring output from the first two quarters combined.

Hampton trailed by just one, 40-39 after a layup by Wiggins with 8:05 to go. Following an Elon basket, Clinton scored and added a free throw to tie the score 42-42 with 7:18 left. Nikishina's lay-up with 6:14 left gave the Lady Pirates a 44-42 lead followed by a layup by Clinton made it 46-42. Both teams traded baskets with neither team gaining an advantage.
Elon then reeled off eight straight points converting six consecutive free throws in the final 1:19 to go ahead 57-50. Foreman's free throw snapped the streak with 38 seconds remaining. Hampton missed its final nine shots from the field.

Foreman had her best game of the season, registering a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Her 14 rebounds were the most for a Lady Pirate since 2021 when Nylah Young had 17 against William & Mary. Clinton led the Lady Pirates with 13 points. Elon's Angel led all scorers with 15 points while Adams and Ava Leroux each tallied 10. The two teams combined to shoot 1-of-20 from three-point range.

After missing the last year-and-a-half due to injury, Arlisha Boston made her first appearance of the season. Wearing a brace on her left leg, Boston grabbed a rebound in traffic in the third quarter.

Hampton's two-game road trip continues as the Lady Pirates travel to Buies Creek, N.C., to take on Campbell on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 2:00 p.m.