Dec. 20, 2004

Stats

DAVIS, Calif. - Lara Gray scored 16 points and hit a go-ahead three-pointer with less than two minutes to play on Monday as UC Davis beat Hampton University 64-58 in a nonconference women's basketball game delayed 71 minutes in the first half due to partial power outage at The Pavilion.

UC Davis improved to a 4-7 with the victory while Hampton - which last season advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament - fell to 3-5. Ellen Porshneva added 14 points while Kimberly Smith and Laura Thomas each had 12 for the Aggies. Kiesha Beard scored 16 points to lead the Lady Pirates.

The teams were tied 56-56 late in the contest but Gray hit a three-pointer from near the top of the key with 1 minute, 52 seconds left to give UC Davis a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the way. The Aggies hit all four of their free throw attempts in the final minute to help secure the win.

Monday's game was delayed more than an hour after some lights went dark with 11:32 to go in the first half and Hampton leading 20-12. However, UC Davis rallied after the interruption with a 10-2 run to tie the game 22-22 with less than eight minutes to play in the half. Hampton kept the lead until a three-pointer by Thomas and a jumper by Gray put the Aggies in front 28-26. UC Davis led 34-30 at intermission.

The Aggies built the lead throughout the early parts of the second half, taking their biggest lead at 44-34 with 12:33 remaining on a layup by Thomas. Hampton stayed within striking distance, however, taking its first lead since the first half when Dean nailed a trey with 5:00 to go for a 55-54 lead.

UC Davis tied the game at 56-56 on a pair of free throws by Porshneva, taking the lead a short time later on Gray's three-pointer. The Aggies finished the game strong, holding the Lady Pirates to just three points in the final five minutes of the game.

"We had a little 10-3 run at the end on them and the last three games it's been the opposite," said Aggie coach Sandy Simpson. "We also made free throws at the end.

"We didn't do anything different (at the end)," he said. "The team was anxious in the huddle to get back out there. They had a more determined look down the stretch."

Gray hit seven of 13 shots for UC Davis, also chipping in a team-high nine rebounds. Smith scored her 12 points on three-pointers while Porshneva missed just two of eight shots for her 14 points. Guard Jackie Turpin had six assists.

Sharema Dean added 12 points for Hampton, which made just two of 20 three-point attempts.

UC Davis returns to action with a 7 p.m. game at The Pavilion on Tuesday against Saint Mary's™

UC Davis Aggies Women's Basketball

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