Hampton suffered its first loss of the season on Thursday, falling 45-34 to South Carolina to open the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands.

Junior forward Alyssa Bennett led the Lady Pirates with 13 points and eight rebounds, while senior forward Keiara Avant added eight points. Avant had her streak of four straight double-doubles to open the season snapped.

The Lady Pirates shot just 19.3 percent (11-for-57) from the floor, making two of their 12 3-pointers (16.7 percent) and 10 of their 16 free throws (62.5 percent).

The Gamecocks (5-0) shot 32.6 percent from the floor, making 15 of their 46 shots. South Carolina also made five of its 13 3-point attempts and went just 10-for-27 (37.0 percent) from the free throw line. The Gamecocks out-rebounded the Lady Pirates 57-32.

South Carolina committed 29 turnovers, resulting in 14 Hampton points.

Aleighsa Welch led the Gamecocks with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

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