WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Howard held off a late Hampton rally for a 64-60 women’s basketball victory Saturday at Capital One Arena. The Lady Bison built a 39-26 halftime lead behind a strong second quarter. The Pirates surged after halftime, cutting the deficit to two points in the fourth quarter, but could not complete the comeback. Howard improved to 8-5 while Hampton fell to 6-4. Aaryn Battle led all scorers with 16 points and added nine rebounds for Hampton. Howard’s Zennia Thomas posted a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Both teams struggled offensively, combining for 45 turnovers. Howard shot 42% from the floor to Hampton’s 31%. Attendance was 2,471.

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and missed opportunities, the Howard Lady Bison held off a late surge from the Hampton Pirates to secure a 64-60 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Capital One Arena. The contest, played before a crowd of 2,471, saw Howard improve to 8-5 on the season, while Hampton fell to 6-4. Howard built a commanding 39-26 halftime lead behind a dominant second quarter, outscoring Hampton 22-13. The Lady Bison’s interior presence and ability to capitalize on Hampton’s mistakes proved decisive early. Howard scored 26 points in the paint compared to Hampton’s 12 and converted 19 points off 23 Pirate turnovers. The most important part of the game arrived in the third quarter, as Hampton mounted a significant comeback. After trailing by as many as 13, the Pirates unleashed a 20-point third quarter, spearheaded by aggressive defense that forced eight Howard turnovers in the period. Aaryn Battle, who led all scorers with 16 points and added nine rebounds for Hampton, fueled the run with timely baskets and free throws. A driving layup by Le’Asia Foreman with 25 seconds left in the third capped the rally, pulling Hampton within four points at 46-42 heading into the final period. The Pirates carried that momentum into the fourth, tying the game at 50 on a pair of Battle free throws with 8:47 remaining. However, Howard responded with critical plays from its standout post player. Zennia Thomas, who recorded a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, answered with a jump shot on the ensuing possession to put Howard back ahead for good. Her defensive presence at the rim repeatedly disrupted Hampton’s attempts to take the lead in the closing minutes. Hampton had multiple chances down the stretch but was hampered by poor shooting. The Pirates shot just 31.3% from the floor for the game, including 5 of 19 from three-point range. Despite attempting 18 more free throws than Howard, making 25, they could not overcome their offensive inefficiency. Howard shot a more efficient 42.1% from the field. With Howard clinging to a 58-57 lead in the final minute, a turnover by Thomas gave Hampton a chance to take the lead. But Kayla Lezama’s three-point attempt with 43 seconds left was off the mark. Howard’s Destiny Bynum-Johnson was then fouled and made one of two free throws to extend the lead to two. After a missed jumper by Hampton, April Edwards was fouled and sank two clutch free throws with 8 seconds left to seal the 64-60 victory for the Lady Bison. Statistically, the game was a sloppy affair, with the teams combining for 45 turnovers. Howard committed 22 but compensated with a 14-13 edge in steals and a 7-5 advantage in three-pointers made. Kiarra Mcelrath joined Battle in double figures for Hampton with 12 points. For Howard, Nile Miller and Destiny Bynum-Johnson each added eight points. Howard next travels to face Cincinnati on Tuesday. Hampton returns home to host Radford on Thursday.

Preview: Hampton Pirates at Howard Lady Bison WASHINGTON (Interstat) — A pair of teams riding opposite momentum will meet Saturday when the Hampton Pirates visit the Howard Lady Bison in a non-conference women’s basketball matchup. Hampton (6-3) enters on a five-game winning streak, its longest of the season. The Pirates’ most recent outing was a 65-47 road victory over Edward Waters on Dec. 6, led by 17 points from Kiarra Mcelrath. Guard Aaryn Battle, a key facilitator, added 12 points and five assists in that contest. Battle has been a consistent engine for Hampton, averaging 9.7 points and 3.7 assists during the streak, including an 18-point, 6-rebound, 5-assist performance in a narrow win at Buffalo. Howard (7-5) looks to snap a two-game skid after falling 76-50 at Virginia on Wednesday. The Lady Bison have faced a rigorous schedule, with four of their five losses coming against power-conference opponents Purdue, Syracuse, Virginia and Old Dominion. Guard Zoe Stewart has been a bright spot, averaging 16.8 points over her last five games. She scored 23 in a win over Fairfield and 18 in the loss at Virginia. The game will be a final tune-up before both teams break for the holidays. Hampton’s defense has been pivotal during its run, holding opponents to an average of 56.6 points over the last five games. Howard will need to find more consistent offense after being held under 63 points in three of its losses. Howard holds a slight edge in the season record, but Hampton brings the hotter hand into the capital. The Pirates will rely on Battle’s playmaking and a balanced attack, while the Lady Bison will look to Stewart to provide scoring punch and help them regain footing at home. Saturday’s winner will carry momentum into the final stretch of non-conference play. Hampton visits Radford on Dec. 18, while Howard travels to Cincinnati on Dec. 16. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, at Howard’s Burr Gymnasium.