Final Box Score
DURHAM, N.C. - After fighting back from a nine-point second-half deficit, the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University led by one point at the 49 second mark until Florida A&M scoring leader Antonia Bennett hit a last-second layup to seal a Lady Rattlers 63-62 victory on Saturday, Jan. 29 in McDougald-McLendon Gym.
NCCU began the second half with a score of 26-32, Bennett, who finished with 31 points, quickly paced FAMU to a nine-point deficit. Senior Jori Nwachukwu, who netted 16 points in the last 20 minutes of play, quickly led NCCU on an 8-1 run for the first tie of the half.
From the 14:30 mark until to the 8:17 point, FAMU would regain the lead, pulling away by as many as six points. With sophomore J’Mia Pollock on the line sinking one of her two free throws, the contest became a point-for-point battle.
NCCU freshman Sierra Solomon hit her one and only three pointer of the night, for a two-point Lady Eagles’ lead, 51-49. Nevertheless, Bennett would not allow FAMU to fall past a two-point deficit. The leading scorer netted each of the Lady Rattlers last 12 points alone.
At the 1:42 mark, Pollock hit a jumper for a three-point NCCU lead, 61-58. A behind the arc shot by Bennett, created the fifth tie of the half. At the :49 mark, Nwachukwu hit the charity line, where the senior netted one free throw for a one-point Lady Eagles lead. FAMU’s Qiana Donald attempted to seal the victory, but Pollock denied her that success blocking her shot with 23 seconds on the clock. With one second remaining, FAMU’s offensive leader hit a layup at the buzzer to seal FAMU’s one-point victory.
The contest began in the Lady Eagles’ favor, in the first 10 minutes of play, NCCU led by as many as eight points. Bennett’s first point of the game quickly paced the Lady Rattlers on an eight-minute 22-3 run. As both teams headed to their locker rooms for the halftime intermission, the Florida-based foes led by seven points, 32-25.
NCCU senior Nwachukwu led the offense with 21 points, while Chasidy Williams assisted the offensive effort with 15 points. Junior Blaire Houston and Pollock netted nine points apiece. Pollock, who has become a major rebounding contributor, seized nine boards. Williams added seven rebounds to the 45 total team boards. Nwachukwu stopped four FAMU shots with four blocks.
Communally, the Lady Eagles stole six FAMU possessions, while netting 38 percent from the field, 29 percent from behind the arc and 72 percent from charity stripe.
While offensive powerhouse Bennett led with 31 points, Tameka McKelton scored 11 points. Donald and Jayme Warner scored seven points apiece. Bennett seized 15 rebounds for a Lady Rattlers double-double performance, as Donald grabbed 16 boards.
As a unit, FAMU stole 12 NCCU possessions, blocked seven shots and obtained 50 rebounds. The Lady Rattlers hit 33 percent from the field, 27 percent from the long range and 58 percent from the free-throw line.
Saturday afternoon’s contest drops NCCU 2-18, as Florida A&M advances to 9-10.
The Lady Eagles will continue their short homestand, hosting Bethune-Cookman on Monday, Jan. 31 in McDougald-McLendon Gym at 5:30 p.m.
NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at
www.NCCUEaglePride.com Chris Hooks will bring live play-by-ply action from McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. Eagle Gameday, the pregame show, will air 15 minutes prior to tipoff. For more information on Lady Eagles basketball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
