FORT MYERS, Fl. – A 20-6 fourth quarter for the homestanding Florida Gulf Coast Eagles proved to be the difference as Hampton drops a 60-49 decision in the opening game of the Hilton Garden Inn Florida Gulf Coast Classic on Thursday night.
 
In a first half that saw 10 lead changes, the hosts took a lead to close the first period on a 3-point play by Jessica Cattani to lead 14-12.   Hampton started the second period on a 10-2 run capped by consecutive 3-pointers from Monnazjea Finney-Smith and Adria Strothers to lead 22-16 with 7:41 left in the half.   FGCU responded with 10 points as a Finney-Smith 3-ball kept Hampton close at 26-25 with 2:29 left in the half.
 
Hampton kept FGCU off the board for the first 4:08 of the third period as a Chanel Green 3-ball gave Hampton a 33-28 lead with 6:47 left.   A pair of Finney-Smith free throws with 31 seconds left kept the Lady Pirates ahead 43-38. Erica Nelson hit a layup at the buzzer to bring the hosts to 43-40 after three periods.
 
In the fourth, Hampton fell victim to China Dow who scored 11 of her game high 14 points in the final period.  Dow hit a layup to start the scoring and brought the Eagles to 43-42 with 7:50 left.  Following a tradeoff of buckets as Malia Tate-DeFreitas gave Hampton its final lead of the night on a jumper with 6:08 left to lead 45-44.
 
FGCU closed the game on a 16-4 run as Dow had nine of those points to lead the Eagles to the win.  Joining her in double figures was Taylor Gradinjan with 11 and eight boards.
 
Finney-Smith had her first double-double on the year with 15 points and a season-high 11 rebounds to lead Hampton.   Green added a season high 10 points, a career-best six rebounds and tied her career best with two blocked shots.  Strothers and Malia Tate-DeFreitas added six points apiece for Hampton.
 
Hampton returns to action on Friday afternoon with a 4pm tip against Samford to close out the classic.
 
For more information on Hampton University women's basketball, please contact the office of Sports Information at 757-727-5906 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com