Jan. 2, 2009

Final Stats

DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University junior center Jori Nwachukwu's double-double performance led the Lady Eagles to a 72-60 victory over the Lady Bulldogs of South Carolina State University in McLendon-McDougald Gym on Friday night.

Nwachukwu scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while rookies Chasidy Williams and Blaire Houston both scored in double figures. Williams had a career-high of 21 points and five rebounds, while Houston tallied 11 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals to lead host NCCU to its fourth win in the last six games.

S.C. State held an early 9-4 lead, but the Lady Eagles posted an 18-6 run to go up 22-15 at 7:38.

The Lady Bulldogs tied the game at 24-24, but NCCU responded again by scoring the last nine points of the first half to take a 33-24 cushion into the locker room.

SCSU trimmed the gap to six points twice in the first minute of the second stanza.

NCCU (4-11), however, shot 55.6 percent in the second half to lead by as much as 18 points before winning by 12.

Marie Reid led the Lady Bulldogs with 25 points, while Sophilia Hipps added 20 for SCSU (3-7).