NORFOLK, Va., (MEAC) – Third-seeded Hampton had four players score in double figures, including Jephany Brown’s game-high 20 points, in a 66-56 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament quarterfinal defeat of No. 11 Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday afternoon in the Norfolk Scope Arena.
The Lady Pirates (18-12) advanced to Friday’s semifinal, where they will face No. 7 North Carolina A&T State at approximately 2 p.m.
Joining Brown in double figures were Monnazjea Finney-Smith with 17 points (along with eight rebounds and six assists), Kaylah Lupoe with 12 points and Dejane’ James with 10 points (to go along with seven assists).
Hampton led by five after the first quarter, and a Finney-Smith jumper with 5:39 left in the first half gave the Lady Pirates a 26-18 lead. But MDES (13-16) went on a 13-2 run to take a 30-29 lead with 28 seconds left in the half following a pair of Briana Mack free throws.
But Mikayla Sayle hit a layup 22 seconds later to send Hampton into the break with a 31-30 lead.
The Lady Pirates opened the second half on a 17-5 run, opening up a 48-36 lead with 4:44 remaining in the third quarter after a Brown layup. From that point on, MDES never got closer than within two possessions.
Mack led the Hawks with 13 points and six rebounds.
