Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Two North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles (2-10) scored in double-figures in Wednesday night’s 67-56 loss to the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville (7-4) in McDougald-McLendon Gym on Dec. 29.

 

Senior Jori Nwachukwu and sophomore Chasidy Williams’ combined 31 points were not enough to subdue the persistent Bulldogs.  Nwachukwu obtained her fourth double-double honor this season.  The leading scorer earned 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.  Williams scored 12 points and seized seven boards. 

 

NCCU junior Blaire Houston rounded out the scoring leaders with seven points.  Freshman Tenika Neely came off the bench to command the offense, as she distributed three assists.

 

The Lady Eagles and the Bulldogs entered the contest on a level playing field, matching up rather closely statistically, but it was four Asheville student-athletes scoring in double-figures that made the game-winning difference. The visitor’s also turned 13 NCCU miscues into 16 points off of turnovers.

 

Asheville sharp-shooter Lindsey Thompson earned a double-double in the win, as she obtained a season-high 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.  Thompson led the Bulldogs with 16 points in the first-half alone, hitting four consecutive three-pointers.  Kendall Shepard and Lindsey Montgomery amassed 15 points apiece, and Kelli Riles rounded out the double-figure scoring with 12 points.

 

The Lady Eagles jumped out to an 11-5 lead (15:19 mark) to begin the matchup, but it was Thompson’s long range stroke that triggered the Bulldogs offense.  Asheville was able to break the margin to a two-point deficit, and then with Thompson’s second three-pointer the royal blue and white tied the contest at 15-15 (9:32 mark).  As Thompson enjoyed behind the arc action, the Bulldogs went on to outscore NCCU 25-14, ending the half with a 40-29 advantage.

 

The second half appeared a little more promising for the maroon and grey, and more so promising for Nwachukwu who only scored five points in the first half.  Nwachukwu and freshman Alesha Jenkins each sunk a layup to provide the only close margin of the second half, before Asheville pulled away to lead by as many as 20 points.

 

While the NCCU defense was able to suppress Thompson’s shot in the second half, Shephard managed to keep Asheville in control, scoring 12 of her total 15 points after intermission.

 

NCCU shot 31.3 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from behind the arc, while Asheville hit 37.3 percent from the field and 28.0 percent the long range.

 

The Lady Eagles drop to 2-10 on the season, as the Bulldogs advance to 7-4.  NCCU is now 19-10 in McDougald-McLendon Gym and 1-3 in the series.

 

The NCCU Lady Eagles continue the 2010-11 campaign in Tar Heel country on Monday, Jan. 3 as they battle No.10 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. at 7 p.m.  Following their cross-town contest, the maroon and grey will enter conference-style play facing Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference competition from Saturday, Jan. 8 hosting Delaware State at 2 p.m. to the end of the season on Thursday, March 3 when they host South Carolina State at 5:30.  All contests will be double-headers.

 

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