Lady Pirates use big runs, career nights for Smith & Lezama to push past Delaware State 76

HAMPTON, Va. — Basketball is a game of runs, and Hampton proved that perfectly Monday night.

Powered by career-high performances from Olivia Smith and Kayla Lezama—each scoring 19 points—the Hampton Pirates used a series of momentum-swinging bursts to defeat Delaware State 76–59 in a non-conference matchup at the HU Convocation Center. Both Smith and Lezama matched their best scoring outputs, while Hampton placed four players in double figures.

"It was nice to see us respond in the third quarter to the runs," head coach Tamisha Augustin said. "Credit to Delaware State—they pressed us and made us unorthodox for a second. Pleased with the outcome and bench support with 26 points tonight."

Delaware State opened the game with a 10–0 run before Hampton found its rhythm. A pull-up jumper fro