Women’s Basketball Falls To #1 Hampton

Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Lady Tigers struggled to get into Saturday's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game against the four-time defending MEAC champion Hampton Lady Pirates, falling 46-70 in Tiger Arena.

Saturday's contest was a fight for the top of the MEAC standings. Hampton retains sole lead with a 6-0 conference mark, while SSU moves to fifth place with a 4-2 MEAC record and an 11-9 overall mark. (Click Here for full MEAC standings)

It's SSU's first loss at home this season after garnering seven straight wins in Tiger Arena. The 7-0 start for the Lady Tigers is the program's longest home win streak, and best start in Tiger Arena for the Division I era (Since 2002-03 season).

The Lady Tigers were led by senior Ezinne Kalu, who had 15 points in the contest. Hampton's Alyssa Bennett led the field with 21 points. Malia Tate-Defreitas followed with 15 points. Kenia Cole and Nicole Hamilton each added 11 points.

Hampton shot 40.7 percent from the field, hitting 22-of-54 offerings. SSU managed a 28.3 clip from the floor. SSU was outrebounded by the Lady Pirates 43-39 and committed 22 costly turnovers.

The Lady Pirates opened the contest with a 5-0 run, capped by two good free-throws from Bennett. SSU responded with points from Jasmine Norman and Jasmine Kirkland to cut Hampton's lead to one, 5-4 with 16:22 to play.

It was the closest SSU ever came to the Lady Pirates lead as the visitors went on a 10-0 run in the last 4:38 of the opening half to head into the locker room with a 36-18 advantage.

Norman sank a layup at the 13:42 mark of the second half to cut Hampton's growing lead to 41-24. The 17-point margin was the closest the Lady Tigers came in the second period as Hampton poured in the points over the subsequent 12 minutes of play for the final 24-point spread.

SSU continues the 2013-14 campaign with a visit from Norfolk State on Monday, January 27. Tipoff in Tiger Arena is set for 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Print Friendly Version