Jan. 30, 2010

Final Stats

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles (7-13) put their road struggles to an end as they soared to a 54-43 victory over the Savannah State University Lady Tigers (8-17) Saturday afternoon in Tiger Arena, marking their first road win of the season and snapping a 10-game road losing skid.

Freshman Joanna Miller was the lone Lady Eagle to score in double-figures with a game-high 19 points off a 7-for-17 shooting performance. She earned 12 of those points in the first half. She also tied with a team-high seven rebounds. Joining Miller on the boards was J'Mia Pollock and Destiny Tolliver with seven rebounds apiece.

Danielle DeBerry, a 5-5 guard, showed that size doesn't matter when it comes to playing defense as she notched a career-high two blocked shots, while also dishing a game-high five assists. She was joined by Pollock with two blocks and Miller with one to round out the Lady Eagles' five blocked shots.

Despite a poor shooting performance, NCCU controlled the ballgame with an aggressive defense that allowed them to hold Savannah State under 30 percent from both the field and the 3-point line. They scored 23 points off of the Lady Tigers' 26 turnovers and had nine steals.

The Lady Eagles' scored 18 points off the bench, outnumbering the Lady Tigers' bench by nine. NCCU's aggressiveness and power allowed for 18 points in the paint and 14 second chance points with NCCU outnumbering Savannah State in both categories. Unfortunately, NCCU was one rebound shy of tying Savannah State on the boards with 37.

NCCU shot 31.6 percent for the field and 27.4 percent from long range. They were slightly below their free throw shooting average, hitting 66.7 percent from the charity stripe. Latoya Bennett led on the line, going 5-for-6, followed by Blaire Houston, who hit 3-for-4 from the stripe.

Savannah State struggled to break through the NCCU defense, shooting 28.9 percent from the floor and 25.0 percent from behind the arc. One thing they were consistent with was their foul shooting as they hit 92.9 percent from the stripe, which was due to a perfect 7-for-7 free throw shooting night from Courtney Long.

Long was one of two Lady Tigers to score in double-digits with 11 points. She was accompanied by Crissa Jackson also with 11 points off a 4-for-15 shooting outing. Long and Jackson each contributed three assists. Alisha Nelson led Savannah State on the boards with a game-high 12 rebounds, while also leading in blocked shots with four.

The Lady Tigers, who sought revenge on the Lady Eagles, showed their determination in the first half. The game saw one tied score and six lead changes with all coming in the first half. Savannah State led for the majority of the first half, leading by as many as five at the 10:11 mark. Following Savannah State's 5-point lead, the Lady Eagles went on a 7-1 run to take a brief one-point lead at the 3:49 mark, which was their second lead of the half.

Savannah State jumped right back in front by one with the next basket to claim its last lead of the ballgame. The Lady Eagles followed with an 11-4 run to close out the first half and take an eight-point lead going into intermission. That run was sparked by Miller, who hit six of those 11 points. NCCU led 26-18 going into the break.

The second half belonged to the Lady Eagles, who were in control from the 20:00 mark. Savannah State tried to crawl back in the ballgame, getting back within two off an 8-2 run at the 16:38 mark. NCCU refused to back down, going on a run of their own, outscoring Savannah State, 14-2, to take a 12-point lead.

The Lady Tigers continued to fight hard and battle against the Lady Eagles, who continued to soar. Savannah State managed to cut the deficit to nine on three different occasions within the 5:54 and the 2:03 marks, but not before NCCU led by as many as 13 at the 2:39 mark, which was its largest lead of the game.

The last 2:03 saw NCCU close the game out as Houston hit back-to-back free throws with 24 second left to clinch the victory, which gave the Lady Eagles an 11-point win, claiming a 54-43 victory over Savannah State. It was the Lady Eagles' first road win of the season and their first win in Savannah in program history.

NCCU improved to 7-13 on the season and 4-5 against Savannah State. The Lady Tigers dropped to 8-17 and continue to suffer, currently on a 13-game losing skid following today's matchup with NCCU.

The NCCU Lady Eagles have started their journey on a six-game road slate with three road games remaining until they return home. NCCU will return to the hardwood next week when they travel to Lynchburg, Va. to battle the Liberty University Lady Flames on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. Thursday will mark the first meeting between Liberty and NCCU in program history.

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