Roderick Mclean | Staff Writer
Jim Heath
The Hampton University women’s basketball team, a squad with six freshmen on the roster, has started 3-3.
The Lady Pirates welcome Mid-Atlantic Christian on Dec. 15 as they try to get back over .500 after an 83-51 loss Wednesday at No. 10 N.C. State.
Hampton opened the season on the road and defeated Florida Atlantic behind 20 points and five steals from junior Ashley Bates. Sophomore Mahaley Holit also helped the Pirates with a career-high-tying 12 points and a career-high eight rebounds against the Owls. HU shot 9-of-18 from the 3-point line.
Hampton suffered a tough loss in its home opener, falling to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 58-50. Junior Charlisa Jenkins led the Lady Pirates with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Bates added 13 points and five steals.
HU bounced back with a 72-65 win against James Madison as freshman Laren Vanarsdale notched a season-high 29 points. She attempted 18 free throws – as many free throws as James Madison’s entire team. Jenkins added 12 points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes. This victory gave coach David Six his 200th career win, and improved his record to 200-93. The Lady Pirates made 10 of their 14 shots in the final 10 minutes. They also forced James Madison into nine turnovers in the final quarter.
Hampton also won another close game at home against Samford. Vanarsdale had 23 points and led Hampton’s fourth-quarter rally. Bates had 14 points, and sophomore Nina Porte had a breakout game with 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Senior Kayla Lupoe had five of the Lady Pirates’ nine blocks.
HU’s two-game winning streak ended as the team fell to Elon 77-62. Bates scored 17, Lupoe 15 and Vanarsdale 13. The Lady Pirates started off slow, trailing 12-2. Bates added six steals.
Jim Heath
The Hampton Script 