Jan. 24, 2009

Final Stats

DURHAM, NC - North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles seniors closed out their home season with a 52-40 victory over the Lady Tigers of Savannah State University, Saturday afternoon in McLendon-McDougald Gym.

Seniors LaVonna Hailey and Keyonta Thacker played in their last home game for NCCU. Tonia Roundtree was unable to play due an injury earlier this season.

The Lady Eagles led by as much as 13 points 17-4, following a jumper by Jori Nwachukwu with 5:10 remaining in the opening half. A layup by Savannah State's Raven Fields trim the NCCU lead to nine, but the hosts used a 6-0 run and hold on to a 23-8 advantage at the break.

NCCU (8-13) shot 43 percent from the floor compared to 18 percent for Savannah State, in the first half.

It appeared as if NCCU would run away with the contest.

The Lady Tigers faced a 20 point deficit by the 6:23 mark of the second half. SSU (3-16) quietly, put together an 8-1 scoring run that lasted nearly four minutes. A pair of free throws down the stretch from freshman guard Blaire Houston and freshman guard Danielle DeBerry quickly put the brakes on the Lady Tigers' comeback.

NCCU out rebounded SSU 37-27 and beat the Lady Tigers in the paint 32-14, and made 14 of 22 attempts from the free throw for a 63 shooting percentage from the line.

Two Lady Eagles scored in double figures. Nwachukwu led the way with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Houston added a career-high of 18 points.

In her last performance as a Lady Eagle, senior guard Hailey produced five points and two assists.

In memory of head coach Kay Yow of N.C. State, the Lady Eagles wore their pink uniforms for the game. Coach Yow passed away earlier today.