Nov. 22, 2009

Final Stats

DURHAM, N.C. - Joanna Miller and Danielle DeBerry combined for 35 points for North Carolina Central University (0-4), but it wasn't enough to stop Gardner-Webb (3-1) center Sandra Vaitkute, who recorded a double-double to push the Lady Bulldogs past the Lady Eagles, 66-55, Sunday night in Durham.

Miller did it again as she recorded her second-straight 22-point performance, which was her third double-digit scoring outing of the season. Along with 22 points, Miller added a team-high six rebounds and four assists. She was accompanied by Danielle DeBerry with 13 points and a team-high three steals.

Helping Miller out on the boards was sophomore Brittany Myatt with six rebounds. With 35 rebounds, the Lady Eagles were one rebound short of tying the Lady Bulldogs on the boards. Defensively, both teams forced 18 turnovers with NCCU leading in steals with 12.

NCCU had their second best shooting outing, going 35.2 percent from the field. From the charity stripe, the Lady Eagles put on their best performance, shooting 77.8 percent. Miller led the Lady Eagles' free throw performance, hitting 9-of-10. Unfortunately, NCCU struggled from long range, hitting 3-of-14.

The Lady Eagles scored more points in the paint and on the fast break than the Lady Bulldogs. NCCU scored 26 points in the paint and 16 fast break points, but it wasn't enough as Gardner-Webb capitalized on second chance points, 12-7.

Gardner Webb scored the first nine points of the game to jump out to a quick 9-0 lead before Shanise Blanks nailed a 3-pointer to put the Lady Eagles on the board. The Lady Bulldogs continued to use their height advantage on the post to extend their lead to 13 after an 11-4 run, which was Gardner-Webb's largest lead of the game.

NCCU slowly fought back and gained momentum. The Lady Eagles rallied at the 7:42 mark, going on a 16-4 run that was sparked by a 3-pointer by DeBerry. The 16-4 run tied the game at 26-26, the first tie of the game. Miller hit a layup with 3:02 on the clock to give the Lady Eagles a two-point lead, their only lead of the game.

Courtney Epps of Gardner-Webb responded with back-to-back free throws to tie the game at 28 and from that point on, the Lady Bulldogs were in control. They ended the first half on a 5-0 run going into halftime up, 31-28.

Coming out of the half, the Lady Bulldogs continued their run, extending the lead to five with the first bucket out of intermission. A jumper by Latoya Bennett at the 19:18 mark put the Lady Eagles within three. Gardner-Webb managed to get back out in from by as many as 11 at the 8:52 mark.

NCCU battled to stay in the ballgame, but couldn't manage to keep the Lady Bulldogs from a double-digit lead. They pulled within six, but the Lady Bulldogs jumped back out by 11 with 1:39 left in regulation. A free throw by Dominique Hudson with just under 1:30 extended the lead to 12.

DeBerry hit a layup with 1:01 left to pull NCCU within 10, but the Lady Eagles didn't quite have enough time. Gardner-Webb put the final nail in the coffin at the 00:13 mark with a jumper by Monique Hudson. DeBerry hit a free throw with three seconds left, but NCCU ran out of time, falling to Gardner-Webb by 12.

Gardner-Webb was led by Vaitkute with 23 points and 10 rebounds, earning her first double-double of the season. Joining Vaitkute in double-digit scoring was Monique Hudson with 17 points, followed by Dominique Hudson with 10 points. Durham native Margaret Roundtree followed Vaitkute on the boards with eight.

The Lady Bulldogs shot 45.3 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from behind the arc. They struggled from the free throw line, hitting 11-of-20. Their bench outscored NCCU's bench, 19-7.

NCCU dropped to 0-4 on the season as they head on a seven-game road trip. Gardner-Webb improved to 3-1 on the season, riding a three-game winning streak. The Lady Eagles return to action on Nov. 27 in Fairfax, Va., where they will face George Mason for the first time in program history.

For more information on Lady Eagle basketball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.