HAMPTON, Va. – Despite 13 points from Kendra Cooper and another 12 points off the bench from Alea Godfrey, Bethune-Cookman was unable to overcome a large second half deficit Saturday afternoon, falling to Hampton by a score of 60-45 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball action inside the HU Convocation Center.
Cooper, a junior from Spring, Texas, netted eight of her 13 points in the second half for Bethune-Cookman (7-8, 1-1 MEAC).
With Hampton (4-11, 1-1 MEAC) holding a 22-point advantage at 38-16 in the third quarter, the visiting Wildcats went on a furious 25-11 run extending into the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to as little as eight (49-41) with 4:31 remaining in the contest.
All-MEAC performer and center Kailyn Williams (New Orleans, La.) began the fourth quarter with a steal and a layup, cutting the Pirates lead at 43-30. Meanwhile, Cooper supplied a jumper from just outside the lane, adding a free throw to complete the old-fashioned three-point play after the foul was whistled on Hampton's Chanel Green.
That allowed the Wildcats to get within 43-33 with just over eight minutes showing on the clock.
The teams traded baskets over the course of the next two minutes, until Kailyn Williams connected on one-of-two free throws to chip the lead under 10 for the first time since the latter stages of the second quarter.
Malia Tate-DeFreitas registered a free throw to put the home side back up by 12, before Cooper's three-pointer from the left elbow rattled in to cut the lead at 49-41.
However, Bethune-Cookman would miss five of its final seven shots from the field down the stretch, allowing Hampton the 60-45 victory, as the Pirates outscored the Cats 11-4 over the final four and a half minutes of play.
Bethune-Cookman raced out to a five point lead (8-3) in the opening stanza, using a pair of three-pointers from Cooper and redshirt junior guard Taylor Houston (Raleigh, N.C.).
Ashanti Hunt (Washington, D.C.), playing in her first game since suffering an injury early in December, entered the game in the opening quarter, using tenacious defense and driving to the basket for a layup, allowing her team the 10-9 edge after 10 minutes played.
Ultimately, Hampton would outscore the Cats 25-6 in the second quarter, taking a 34-16 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Pirates were led in scoring by Kaylah Lupoe with 16 points and 12 rebounds. But the story of the day was Tate-DeFreitas registering a triple-double performance of 13, points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead all performers.
Cooper led all Wildcats with 13 points and four assists. She was followed by Kailyn Williams with 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Meanwhile, Alea Godfrey (Barrett Station, Texas) supplied 12 points and three rebounds.
B-CU will look to rebound from the first MEAC loss of the season Monday, Jan. 11, when the Wildcats visit Echols Hall to face Norfolk State at 5:30 p.m.
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