Jan. 16, 2009

Final Stats

NORFOLK, Va. - North Carolina Central University junior center Jori Nwachukwu finished one point shy of a career-high during a double-double performance to lead the Lady Eagles to a 77-61 victory over Norfolk State University on Thursday evening inside Echols Hall in Norfolk, Va.

Nwachukwu made 16-of-24 shots from the field en route to a season-best 34 points to go along with 13 rebounds and four assists.

"Jori is a competitor," said NCCU head coach Joli Robinson. "When she missed the end of last season with an injury, she worked hard to get back to the court and you can see the results. We are very proud of her."

The NCCU victory was the first on an opponent's home court this season, and kept the Spartans winless at 0-12. NCCU improved its overall record to 6-13.

NCCU rookie forward Chasidy Williams collected 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals to contribute to a dominant Lady Eagle inside game that grounded the Spartans. NCCU scored 54 points in the paint, accounting for more than 70 percent of the team's offense. NCCU freshman guard Blaire Houston made everything she shot, connecting on all four field goal attempts and a pair of free throws to finish as the third Lady Eagle to score double figures with 10 points. Houston also had five of the squad's 18 assists.

Only one Spartan scored in double figures, as Danielle Tate led NSU with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

NCCU shot a blazing 58.8 percent (30-of-51) from the field, including 61.5 percent (16-of-26) in the second half. The Lady Eagles also hit 70.8 percent of their free throws, connecting on 16-of-24 from the charity stripe.

"I am very proud of my team. We are getting better each and every game," said Nwachukwu. "I am really happy just to be out here, and hopefully we can finish the season strong."

NSU made only 31.9 percent of its field goal attempts, including a dismal 3-for-20 shooting from three-point range. The Lady Spartans' struggles continued at the foul line, converting 12-of-21 free throws on the night.

NCCU used a 12-1 run in the middle of the first half to open up a 31-18 lead after two free throws by Houston with 2:38 left before intermission.

The visiting Lady Eagles held a comfortable 35-22 cushion at halftime.

In the second half, NSU trimmed the gap to nine points at 41-32 with 15:38 remaining, but NCCU scored 10 unanswered points, including eight from Nwachukwu, to put the game away.

NCCU led by as much as 23 points (77-54, 1:36), before the Spartans tallied the last seven points of the contest.