Lady Pirates beat Rhode Island in OT, Win FIU Tourney

MIAMI, Fla. – It took an extra five minutes, but the Hampton University women’s basketball team defended its FIU post-Christmas tournament crown on Tuesday, defeating Rhode Island 59-54 at the FIU Arena in the FIU Surfing Santa Classic title game.

The Lady Pirates (3-9) have won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Junior guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas dropped a season-high 33 points to lead the Lady Pirates, going 10-for-33 from the floor and making five 3-pointers. She was also a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line, on top of grabbing six rebounds and registering two steals.

Senior guard Ryan Jordan added a season-high 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Sophomore forward Kaylah Lupoe tied her career high with 13 rebounds.

Hampton struggled from the floor, shooting just 27.4 percent (20-for-73) from the floor for the game. The Lady Pirates made eight of their 24 3-pointers (33.3-percent), and they were a season-best 11-for-12 (91.7-percent) from the free throw line.

The Lady Pirates out-rebounded Rhode Island 44-38 and scored 16 points off of 22 Ram turnovers.

The Rams (6-6) shot 36.7-percent (18-for-49) from the floor, despite making just seven field goals in the second half and only one in the overtime session. Rhode Island went 5-for-14 (35.7-percent) from behind the arc and made just 13 of 19 free throws (68.4-percent).

Charlise Wilson and Samantha Tabakman each had 14 points for the Rams.

The Lady Pirates will be in DeLand, Fla. on Friday to take on Stetson at 2:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.

For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com

Late Spurt Lifts La Salle Past Spartans

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - La Salle closed the game on a 10-2 run to edge out the Norfolk State women's basketball team, 67-59, in the first game of the Monmouth Hawk Holiday Classic on Tuesday afternoon at the Multipurpose Activity Center.

Kayla Roberts led NSU with 14 points and seven rebounds. Siobhan Beslow and Koryn Lawrence scored 12 apiece and Hannah scored 11. Hannah added a game and career-high four steals.

Micahya Owens scored 20 points off the bench to lead all scorers for La Salle. Amy Griffin scored 16 and Wells 14 for the Explorers.

The Spartans play in the 1 p.m. consolation game Wednesday against St. Francis Brooklyn, which lost 63-54 to tourney host Monmouth in Tuesday's other game.

For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com