Feb. 8, 2010

Game Notes - NCCU at Winthrop

DURHAM, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles (7-14) look to end their losing skid against Big South Conference opponents as they head to Rock Hill, S.C. to battle their second consecutive Big South opponent in the Winthrop University Lady Eagles (8-14) on Tuesday, Feb. 9 in the Winthrop Coliseum. The Battle of the Eagles will take place at 7 p.m.

Tuesday will mark the first meeting between Winthrop and NCCU in program history as the Lady Eagles make their first trip to Rock Hill, S.C. The Lady Eagles have struggled a little bit this season when facing opponents for the first time. NCCU sits at 1-4 against first-time opponents this season with three new opponents still on the schedule, including Winthrop and its Big South foe Presbyterian.

NCCU is coming off a 20-point loss at Liberty University, where it was burned by the Lady Flames after a second half rally lifted the Big South powerhouse to a 64-44 win over the Lady Eagles. NCCU enters Tuesday's matchup with a 7-14 record and having won two of its last five and six of its last 10 games. They look to jump-start a winning streak as they head into battle with the Winthrop Lady Eagles.

The NCCU Lady Eagle offense is anchored by Joanna Miller, who is coming off a 14-point performance at Liberty. She leads the team in scoring (18.7), steals (2.6), free throw percentage (75.0) and minutes played (32.9). The freshman is the only Lady Eagle averaging in double-digits in scoring, while standing second in assists and rebounds. She has scored in double-digits in 18-of-20 games this season and looks to continue her dominance.

Senior Latoya Bennett has been a force on the glass for the Lady Eagles over the past few games, coming off a six-rebound outing at Liberty. She has led the Lady Eagles in rebounding in 10 games this season. The Bowie, Md. native is the second leading scorer on the team, averaging just below 10 points per contest with a 9.3 scoring average, while serving as the team's leading rebounder with 7.3 boards per outing. Bennett also leads in field goal percentage, shooting 46.7 percent from the field.

Danielle DeBerry, a Durham native and one of the captains of this year's squad, serves as the team's fourth leading scorer with 7.8 points per game. She leads in assists (3.4), while standing second in minutes played (32.3). Her co-captain Blaire Houston is right behind her in scoring average with 7.2 points per contest.

DeBerry's assistance on offense has led to the sharpshooting of junior guard Shanise Blanks, who anchors the team's perimeter game. She leads the team from behind the arc, hitting an impressive 43.2 percent from long range, while serving as the third leading scorer on the team (8.0).

As a team, the Lady Eagles are shooting 38.1 percent from the field, 31.0 percent from long range and 68.6 percent from the charity stripe.

Winthrop enters Tuesday's matchup in seventh place in the Big South following a 48-43 loss to Presbyterian on Saturday night. The Lady Eagles hold an 8-14 record on the season and are 3-6 in conference play. They have faced many of the same teams NCCU has faced, including Campbell and UNC Asheville. Winthrop has lost its last three out of five games and is currently on a one-game losing skid.

The Lady Eagles look to senior Shanice Cole to get them back on the right track as she leads in scoring (12.5), rebounding (7.5), assists (2.3) and minutes played (30.7). She is the only Lady Eagle to have started in all 22 games this season. Jessica Fansler is their second leading scorer with a 9.3 average and she is the one NCCU should avoid fouling as she hits 82.8 percent from the foul line.

TaQuoia Hammick is a threat on the post, shooting 46.5 percent from the field and leading the team in blocked shots with 15 on the season. Lacey Lyons is Winthrop's 3-point shooter, shooting 36.5 percent from behind the arc, while Shelly Hankins leads the Lady Eagles in steals with 2.1 steals per outing.

As a team, Winthrop is shooting 37.7 percent from the field, 30.9 percent from long range and 63.1 percent from the foul line, while averaging 52.7 points per contest. They have held their opponents to just under 60 points per game with a 57.0 scoring average.

The Lady Eagles have battled some tough competition throughout their 34-year basketball history. NCCU has faced four of the nine teams that make up the current membership of the Big South and those teams are Gardner-Webb, High Point, Liberty and UNC Asheville. They haven't favored well against the Big South. Having competed in 11 games against Big South opponents, NCCU claims a 2-9 disadvantage. The Lady Eagles managed to take one away from Gardner-Webb and UNC Asheville to earn their two victories.

Tuesday's matchup with Winthrop will mark NCCU's third contest this season against a team from the state of South Carolina. Earlier this season, the Lady Eagles faced South Carolina State on two occasions. NCCU is 1-1 against teams from the Palmetto State so far this season. Aside from Winthrop, the Lady Eagles will face one more opponent from the state in Presbyterian, who they will battle in Clinton, S.C. Unfortunately for NCCU, they are winless this season when playing within the borders of the state of South Carolina.

NCCU head coach Joli Robinson has never faced Winthrop in her 13 years at the helm of the Lady Eagles, but she has had the opportunity to face the Big South Conference in Gardner-Webb, High Point and Liberty. Robinson has a slight disadvantage against the Big South with a 1-6 record. Her lone win was against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 17, 1998, where NCCU defeated the Runnin' Bulldogs, 56-47, in McDougald-McLendon Gym. Robinson will face the Lady Eagles for the first time in her career on Tuesday.

Lady Eagle fans can catch the action live as Winthrop will provide a live audio and video feed through the Big South Network at www.BigSouthSports.com. A one-time pass is $4.95. Live statistics will also be available through the NCCU Athletics website at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.

NCCU is coming to the end of its six-game road swing with one road game remaining until they return home. Following their matchup with Winthrop, the Lady Eagles will return to the hardwood next week when they travel to Clinton, S.C. to battle the Presbyterian College Blue Hose on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. in the Templeton Center. It will mark the first meeting between Presbyterian and NCCU in program history.

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