Feb. 26, 2010

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DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - North Carolina Central University senior forward Latoya Bennett recorded her 12th career double-double during her final home game as a Lady Eagle to help lead NCCU to a 74-66 victory over Longwood University on Senior Night inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Friday (Feb. 26).

Bennett amassed 16 points, 13 rebounds, two blocked shots, two assists and a season-high five steals after being honored during a pre-game ceremony along with fellow seniors Katrice Elliott and Shaina Pryor. A native of Bowie, Md., Bennett is the lone Lady Eagle on this year's squad that was a part of the 2007 CIAA Championship in the program's final season of NCAA Division II competition.

While the NCCU seniors basked in the spotlight, rookie Joanna Miller quietly posted a game-high 27 points to go along with five boards, six steals, three assists and a blocked shot. Miller shot 11-of-18 from the field, including 2-of-6 from long range, and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line, dazzling the 841 fans in attendance with a handful of highlight reel moves.

NCCU sophomore guard Blaire Houston contributed a season-best 18 points with three assists, three steals and two rebounds off the bench.

Longwood (8-19) was paced by sophomore forward Brittanni Billups with 16 points and eight rebounds, followed by freshman forward Chelsea Coward with 14 points and six boards.

"It wasn't a pretty game for us tonight, but it was important for us to get a `W' for our seniors," said NCCU head coach Joli Robinson. "I'm happy to see Latoya Bennett get a double-double in her final game at McDougald-McLendon Gym to go out in style."

The visiting Lancers jumped out to a 7-0 cushion before NCCU responded to begin a roller coaster ride through the opening 20 minutes. After nine ties and 10 lead changes in the first half, Longwood took a 36-34 advantage into the locker room.

Miller opened the second-half scoring by knocking down a three-pointer at 18:08 to give the Lady Eagles a 37-36 lead.

Midway through the second stanza, NCCU scored 11 straight points to open up a 14-point margin (62-48) on a layup by Houston at the six-minute mark.

Longwood responded with an 11-0 run of its own to trim the deficit to just three points at 62-59 with 3:41 left to play.

The NCCU lead was still three points when Houston converted a pair of free throws at 1:22, followed by a layup by Miller with 52 seconds remaining to give the Lady Eagles a comfortable seven-point advantage (70-63).

NCCU hit 4-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the victory, improving its record to 10-16.

These same two teams will clash again in NCCU's next contest on Saturday, March 6, in Farmville, Va., during the Independent Tournament.