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HONOLULU, Hawaii (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – North Carolina Central University got a double-double performance from senior Jori Nwachukwu, scored a season-high 61 points and outscored Long Beach State in the second half, but all of that was still not enough. The 49ers jumped out to a 19-point halftime lead and held off NCCU for a 78-61 victory at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday.

Nwachukwu amassed 19 points and 14 rebounds for her second double-double of the season to lead NCCU (1-4). Freshman Alesha Jenkins came off the bench for a season-high nine points, while sophomore Chasidy Williams recorded eight points, seven boards and a game-high four steals for the Lady Eagles. Rookies Tenika Neely and Justyne Sublett added six points each in the setback.

Long Beach State (1-6) recorded its first victory with three 49ers scoring in double figures. Courtney Jacob led the way with a game-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Freshmen Janae Coffee and Brandi Henton contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.

NCCU trailed by as many as 28 points in the second half (72-44 at 6:36) before the Lady Eagles scored 14 unanswered points to cut the deficit in half at 72-58 with 2:59 remaining in the contest. That run proved to be too little, too late.

After three consecutive game in Honolulu, Hawaii, NCCU returns home on Dec. 2 to face Winthrop inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium at 6 p.m.