Final Game Statistics

BALTIMORE, MD. – With two double-figure performances, a sixth double-double outing by senior Jori Nwachukwu and season-high six points by Sheresa Mills, the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles had so much in their favor to obtain their first road win on Saturday, Jan. 15 against Coppin State in Baltimore, Md.  But, with the host Eagles forcing 27 maroon and grey turnovers, NCCU would not find success, suffering a 59-47 loss.

 

Along with Nwachukwu’s 17 points and 12 rebounds and Mills’ season-high outing, fellow senior Shanise Blanks provided a double-figure performance with 15 points.  All of Blanks’ points were obtained from behind the three-point arc.

 

NCCU’s Blanks felt the heat from the long range early in the contest, sinking her first three-pointer at the 14:56 mark.  In less than a minute, the guard hit her second behind the arc shot.  As the Wilmington, N.C., native continued to flourish, Nwachukwu netted from the paint, scoring six consecutive points.

 

NCCU and CSU remained in close scoring proximities during the first half of play. At the 4:23 mark, J’Mia Pollock, who finished with seven points, hit a jumper to take the final lead of the contest, 20-19.

 

CSU quickly answered back, going on a 16-0 scoring run to begin the halftime intermission with a score of 36-20.

 

Lady Eagles’ Mills paced her season-high performance early in the second half, netting the first two points for NCCU at the 19:30 mark.  Collectively, Mills and Nwachukwu closed the deficit to a nine-point CSU lead with a score of 42-33 at 14:22.  With Blanks’ final three-point basket, the Lady Eagles cut the margin to eight points, 44-36. 

 

CSU varied between a 10-to-12 point lead at the 11:02 mark to the end the contest.  The host Eagles utilized 11 off the bench points to secure a 59-47 victory.

 

On the night, Pollock and Blanks grabbed 12 rebounds collectively, towards the team’s 43 total rebounds.  Nwachukwu and Pollock blocked four shots apiece, for the team’s total eight.

 

Coppin State had two student-athletes score in double-figures, Jeanine Manley (19) and Crystal Whittington (15).  Whittington paced the rebounding campaign with nine boards attributing to the team’s total 40.  The host Eagles stole 13 NCCU possessions and blocked four visitor shots. 

 

NCCU hit 33 percent from the field, 46 percent from the long range and 44 percent from the charity stripe.  Coppin State netted 41 percent from the field, 14 percent from behind the arc and 35 percent from the free-throw line.

 

The Lady Eagles will remain in the Baltimore, Md. area for a Monday night contest against Morgan State University on Monday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. 

 

NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Chris Hooks will bring live play-by-play action from Morgan State University.  Eagle Gameday, the pregame show, will air 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

 

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