Game Notes

NORFOLK, Va. – The Hampton University women's basketball team will take on Coppin State in the semifinals of the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament on Friday at the Norfolk Scope Arena at 12 p.m.

This will mark the third straight year in which Hampton and Coppin State meet in the semifinals.

The top-seeded Lady Pirates (26-5) beat Delaware State 63-28 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, thanks to 13 points each from senior guard Olivia Allen (Kildeer, Ill.) and junior forward Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.).

Coppin State (16-15), the No. 5 seed, beat South Carolina State 55-53 in Thursday's quarterfinal, after a layup from senior guard Shawntae Payne off the glass with 1.5 seconds left. Senior forward Leola Spotwood led the Lady Eagles with 18 points.

The Lady Eagles went 15-15 in the regular season, finishing fifth in the MEAC with a mark of 10-6. Coppin State, in its 14th season under head coach Derek Brown, return three starters and were picked to finish third in the MEAC this season.

Spotwood is the team's leading scorer so far this season, pouring in 13.0 points per game while also grabbing a team-high 7.4 rebounds per contest. Junior forward Kyra Coleman is averaging 11.2 points per game, while Payne is third in scoring with 10.1 points per game.

Coppin State is averaging 62.3 points per game, while giving up 60.8 points a contest.

Hampton is 20-15 all-time against Coppin State, and the Lady Pirates have won seven of the last nine meetings — including both meetings this season. Coppin State is the last MEAC team to beat Hampton (69-66 in overtime last season at the HU Convocation Center).

Since joining the MEAC in 1995-96, the Lady Pirates have won six regular-season and six tournament titles — including each of the last three under head coach David Six. Hampton has a winning record against every MEAC team.

Hampton's first regular-season MEAC title came in 1998-99, and the Lady Pirates first won the MEAC Tournament, and its corresponding NCAA bid, in 2000. The Lady Pirates clinched this season's regular season title, their third straight, on March 2 with a 59-39 win over Florida A&M.

Under Six, the Lady Pirates are 14-8 on neutral courts over the past three-plus seasons — including a 3-2 record in such games last season. The Lady Pirates won all three MEAC Tournament games last season, and also beat Central Michigan on a neutral court.

The Lady Pirates are 2-4 on neutral courts this season.

For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.