Dec. 6, 2009

Final Stats

BLACKSBURG, Va. - In a North Carolina Central University offense that struggled to put points on the board, junior guard Shanise Blanks found confidence, scoring a career-high 20 points off an 8-for-14 shooting outing, as the Virginia Tech Hokies cruised past the Lady Eagles, 85-44, Sunday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum.

Blanks, the only NCCU student-athlete to record double-figures, earned 12 of her 20 points from behind the arc, where she nailed 4-for-6. The junior from Wilmington, N.C. continued her dominance from the previous two games, putting on her third consecutive double-digit scoring performance.

Blaire Houston, who struggled in the first half, followed with nine points, which all came from the second half. Joanna Miller also totaled nine points and added four rebounds. The Lady Eagles were led on the boards by Danielle DeBerry with seven, while freshmen Shaina Pryor and Destiny Tolliver grabbed five boards apiece.

The Lady Eagles, who dropped to 0-7 on the season, shot a quiet 31.4 percent from the field and struggled from the charity stripe, where they shot 40 percent. NCCU's performance from the line matched their performance from 3-point land, shooting 40 percent.

Virginia Tech took control from the tip, jumping out to a quick 23-6 lead in the first half. The Hokies led by as many as 19 at the 4:57 mark. NCCU tried to battle back, outscoring Virginia Tech, 15-14 to close the half as the Lady Eagles went into the break down, 37-21.

The Hokies' defense was too much for the Lady Eagles to handle, as they went the first 4:30 of the second half without a basket. Blanks hit NCCU's first shot of the half at the 16:26 mark, but by that time, the Hokies had already scored eight-straight points. Virginia Tech continued their offensive dominance, scoring seven more points to complete a 15-2 run that extended their lead to 29 at the 14:00 mark.

NCCU got within 22 at the 11:29 mark off a 3-pointer by Houston, but that was the closest the Lady Eagles would come as Virginia Tech kept their distance. The Hokies, who earned their largest lead of the game at the 00:44 mark, outscored the Lady Eagles, 85-44, to clinch the victory.

Virginia Tech freshman Porschia Hadley led the Hokies' offense with a career performance, notching the first double-double of her career with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 16 minutes of action. Brittany Gordon helped her out in the scoring column with a career-best 15 points of her own.

Two other Hokies put on double-digit scoring performances as Alyssa Fenyn added 13 points and Utahya Drye totaled 10. The Hokies were led on the glass by Shanel Harrison with a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Hokies, who improved to 5-3 on the season, scored 34 points off of NCCU's 29 turnovers and defeated them on the boards, 52-31.Virginia Tech used their rebounding advantage to score 21 second-chance points. Virginia Tech improved to 2-0 against NCCU.

NCCU will take a week off from competition for exam week before they return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 16, where they will head to Greensboro, N.C. to take on the Spartans of UNC Greensboro. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. UNCG and NCCU will meet for the third time as the Spartans claim a 2-0 advantage in the series.

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