HAMPTON, Va. – Seniors Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor and Kaitlyn Costner logged 18 points to power the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team to its third consecutive victory over Hampton by a score of 69-55 on Monday night at the Hampton Convocation Center.
 
McGinnis-Taylor tied her career-high 18 points for the second time this season going 7-for-14 from the floor and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.  Costner had her second straight game with 18 or more points going 6-for-13 from the floor and a perfect 5-for-5 showing from the charity stripe.
 
Senior guard Alice Recanati had a career-best night gathering 12 rebounds with seven points and four assists in the win.  The Italian's 12 rebounds were the most of her career and her third time with double figure boards.
 
EKU (4-3) shot 48 percent from the floor and a perfect 100 percent from the free throw line, knocking down all 11 chances.  The Colonels outrebounded Hampton, who had five players listed a 6-foot-2 or taller, by a wide 42-26 margin in the victory. 
 
The Colonels also had assists on 15 of their 27 made field goals and forced 12 turnovers.  Hampton (1-4) only shot 34 percent from the floor and nearly missed half its free throws, going 13-for-24 from the line.
 
Freshman guard Liz Freihofer hit a three-pointer with 3:55 left in the first period to push a 15-6 opening run for the Colonels, who only trailed for one minute and one second in Monday's contest.
 
McGinnis-Taylor had back-to-back possessions with made baskets in the paint to push a 23-15 lead to open the second quarter.  The Colonels had four more scoring trips in the paint and a made three from Mya Wardle, ending a lopsided half with a 38-24 lead.
 
EKU was in cruise control in the third period, pushing its lead to 20 points twice in the frame off made layups by Raphaela Toussaint, who ended Monday's win with six points and six rebounds.  Despite a late attempt at a comeback from the Lady Pirates, who cut their deficit to just 12 points after being down 21 in the fourth, EKU held off for the 69-55 win for the third straight game.
 
Guard Jasha Clinton led Hampton with 11 points while fellow guard Le'Asia Foreman added 10 points in the loss.
 
EKU returns home to face Maryville College on Wednesday afternoon inside the Seabury Center on the campus of Berea College.  Fans can purchase tickets here and for those not able to be in attendance, can find the game steamed live on ESPN+.