The Game

The Delaware State women's basketball team (4-9, 0-2 MEAC) will continue its three-game homestand Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) against the four-time defending MEAC Tournament champion, Hampton Pirates (11-4, 2-0 MEAC).  So far this season, the Lady Pirates boast the best overall and conference record amongst teams in the MEAC.

Media Coverage

» Live Broadcast: http://www.youtube.com/user/DelawareStateU?DB_OEM_ID=12900&feature=g-high-lss

» Live Stats: http://www.dsuhornets.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=12900 

» Twitter: @DSUwbb - @ DSUAthletics

The Opponent

» Hampton Pirates (11-4, 2-0 MEAC)

Coming in, the Lady Pirates have won six out of their last seven games.  During this stretch, HU's notable wins have come against MEAC foes Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman, along with double digit victories over Kansas State and Virginia Tech.

Hampton has three players averaging double figures in the scoring column, led by freshman guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas (18.1 ppg), who has been named MEAC Rookie of the Week three times. Meanwhile, Co-MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, Alyssa Bennett (16.7 ppg), leads HU in rebounding (9.1 rpg), as she's been named MEAC Player of the Week twice this season. Guard Nicole Hampton (14 ppg) leads the team in assists (82), steals (35) and blocks (29), as she's garnered both MEAC and Defensive Player of the Week honors once in 2013-14.

» The Head Coach: In his fifth season at the helm, David Six is 110-34 overall, including 60-6 in conference action.  Last season, Six led the Pirates to a 16-0 record in MEAC play, while the squad recorded a school-best Division I-record 28 wins on their way to clinching their fourth consecutive automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

» The Series: DSU is 12-31 all-time against Hampton. Last year, the Lady Hornets went 0-3 against HU, while the Pirates ended DSU's season with a 63-28 victory in the second round of the MEAC Tournament.

A Win Would Mean…

» Back-to-back victories for DSU for the second time this season.

» DSU's fourth home victory of the season.

» The Hornets' first MEAC win since beating Norfolk State at home last season on Feb. 23.

» Delaware State's first win over Hampton since Feb. 9, 2008, snapping an 11-game skid. 

What to Watch For?

» Big Three Battle

The trio of Tierra Hawkins (22.5 ppg), Raven Bankston (18.8 ppg) and Deanna Harmon (11.5 ppg) makes up 79 percent of DSU's scoring, while Hampton's Malia Tate-DeFreitas (18.1 ppg), Alyssa Bennett (16.7 ppg) and Nicole Hampton (14 ppg) account for 73 percent of their squad's scoring.  

» Top Freshmen Clash

DSU's Raven Bankston and Hampton's Malia Tate-DeFreitas both have been named MEAC Rookie of the Week three times, whereas Bankston sits fourth (18.8 ppg) in the conference in scoring and Tate-DeFreitas (18.1 ppg) ranks fifth.      

Familiar Face

When the Lady Hornets face Hampton Saturday, a former DSU women's basketball standout will be in attendance.  Currently in her fifth season with HU as an assistant coach, Barbara Burgess (1984-88) sits second on DSU's all-time scoring list with 1,807 points. In addition, she was inducted to the Delaware State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

Last Time Out…

The Lady Hornets erased a 10-point halftime deficit Tuesday at home to defeat the NJIT Highlanders in overtime, 75-72.  With this victory, DSU snapped a six-game losing skid.

At game's end, three DSU players scored in double figures, led by guard Raven Bankston 26 points (8-of-17) with 19 coming in the second half.  Bankston also went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, to go along two assists, two rebounds and two steals.  From the free throw line, the Detroit, Mich. native, set career-highs in free throws made (8) and attempted (12).   

Forward Tierra Hawkins, meanwhile, poured in 23 points (9-of-19), grabbed three rebounds and totaled a game-high two blocks, whereas guard/forward Deanna Harmon finished with 11 points (5-of-13), eight rebounds and a game-high four steals. Off the bench, forward Tylinn Carter turned in a solid all-around performance with a team-high nine rebounds, a game-high four steals, four points (2-of-4), one assist and one block.

For the game, the Lady Hornets shot 45 percent (29-of-64) and forced 24 turnovers, despite being out-rebounded, 41-35.

A Sign of Things to Come?

In the first six games, the Lady Hornets were 3-3, scored at least 65 points and averaged 77 points per contest on 42 percent shooting.  Also, during this stretch, DSU forced 23 turnovers per game, including 11 steals, and averaged 23 points off those miscues.

The next six games, DSU went winless and averaged 55 points per game on shooting 34 percent shooting from the field, including 17 percent from three-point range.  Additionally, opponents forced 21 turnovers per game, including nine steals, while DSU gave up 80 points on 45 percent.

However, in DSU's recent overtime 75-72 victory against NJIT, it shot 45 percent (29-of-64) and forced 24 turnovers, despite being out-rebounded, 41-35.

Moving Up the Career List

With her performance against NJIT, senior Deanna Harmon is now fourth (239) on DSU's all-time career assists list.

At This Point Last Season…

Delaware State was 3-10 and 0-2 MEAC, coming off 84-83 overtime victory at Houston Baptist.

Coming Up Next…

The Lady Hornets will wrap up their three-game homestand next Monday (5:30 p.m.) against Norfolk State.