HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University Women’s Basketball team lost its third straight game on Saturday, falling to Alabama 69-60 at the Hampton University Convocation Center.

 

Senior Sharella Leslie (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the Lady Pirates with 15 points, all of which came in the second half. Hampton (0-3) led by as many as five points in the first half, going up 11-6 with 16:04 to go in the first half after a 3-pointer from Jericka Jenkins (Lancaster, Texas).

 

Ashley Finlee (Harrisburg, Pa.) hit a free throw to give Hampton a 23-21 lead with 8:32 left in the first half, but Alabama responded with a 13-0 run over the next five minutes to take a 26-23 lead. That run helped the Crimson Tide (2-1) go into the locker room at the half up 42-31.

 

The Lady Pirates spent much of the second half down by double digits, but pulled back in thanks to an 11-0 run. Hampton was trailing 66-60, thanks to Alabama going over five minutes without a field goal. Free throws from Alyson Butler and Katie Hancock helped put the game out of reach.

 

Finlee joined Leslie in double figures with 11 points. Chinyere Ukoh (Woodbridge, Va.), the Lady Pirates’ leading rebounder, had a team-high nine boards. Hampton’s defense forced at least 20 turnovers for the third straight contest, forcing the Crimson Tide to cough up the ball 20 times.

 

Alabama outrebounded Hampton 51-42, with Dedrea Magee and Hancock each pulling down a team-high six. Hancock led the Crimson Tide with 15 points, while Ericka Russell poured in 14.

 

The Lady Pirates return to action on Tuesday with a road game against Georgetown. Tipoff will be at 8 p.m. From there, Hampton will travel to Philadelphia for a date with Temple on Saturday.

 

For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.