Second-half surge proved to be too late, as SC State fell to Hampton, 67-62, in a MEAC women’s basketball contest at the HU Convocation Center on the campus of Hampton University.

SC State (3-11, 0-3 MEAC) jumped out to an early five point lead, 9-4 at the 14 minute mark.  Hampton (5-9, 3-1 MEAC) rebounded strong, putting together a 10-5 run over the next eight minutes to tie the game at 14.  The Lady Pirates continued its momentum, as they went on a 15-8 run to end the half up by seven, 29-27.

Hampton started the second half just as strong as they ended the first, increasing their lead to 10, 38-28, with just over 15 minutes remaining.  The Lady Pirates would go up by as many as 15, before the Lady Bulldogs came alive. SC State put its offense in motion, going on an 8-0 run to pull within seven, 49-42, with 7:13 left in the contest.  Over the next minute, Hampton increased its lead to 12, 54-42.  The Lady Bulldogs had one last run in them as they pulled within one, 63-61, with 32 seconds remaining in the contest but could not get any closer as they fell to the Lady Pirates by five, 62-67.

Despite the loss, SC State had three players to score in double-figures led by Marie Reid with a game-high 23.  Shontavious Wylie scored a season-high 12 and Sophilia Hipps contributed 11 points in the loss.  Sophomore Samantha Daniels pulled in a season-high seven rebounds.

Jerika Jenkins led three Lady Pirates in double-figures with 18.  Bernadette Fortune came off the bench to score 16 and Melanie Warner scored 12 points in the victory.  Laura Lewis pulled down a game-high nine rebounds for the Lady Pirates.

SC State will close out its six-game road swing Monday, Jan. 19 when they travel to Washington, DC to take on Howard University.  The Lady Bulldogs will return to Smith-Hammond-Middleton next Saturday, Jan. 26 when they host Norfolk State in a MEAC match-up.