Game Notes: Bethune-Cookman at North Carolina Central

DURHAM, N.C. – The Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University (2-18) will have another home-court advantage in their favor on Monday, Jan. 31, as the maroon and grey take on Bethune-Cookman University (10-9) at 5:30 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon Gym.

 

NCCU and B-CU have faced each other on the hardwood three times in school history. The two programs met for the first time on Dec. 17, 2007 in Dayton Beach, Fla., where the Lady Wildcats defeated the Lady Eagles 60-58. During the 2008-09 campaign, Bethune-Cookman traveled to the Bull City on Dec. 1, 2008, as the visitors earned their second series win with a 62-56 victory over NCCU.

 

During the last meeting, senior Jori Nwachukwu earned 22 points for the Lady Eagles. The 2010-11 four-category leader, obtained the only block and three steals during the NCCU and B-CU matchup.

 

Three student-athletes scored in double-figures leading the Lady Wildcats to their six-point victory: Keturah Newkirk (18), Sarah Bolden (12) and Cleniece Roberts (10). Demetria Frank seized 12 rebounds, while stealing five possessions.

 

The Lady Eagles host the Lady Wildcats after a thrilling second-half fight against the Lady Rattlers of Florida A&M in McDougald-McLendon Gym. FAMU defeated NCCU 63-62 by a last-second layup by Lady Rattlers scoring leader Antonia Bennett.

 

Nwachukwu led the NCCU offense with 21 points, while Chasidy Williams assisted the offensive effort with 15 points. Junior Blaire Houston and sophomore J’Mia 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.

 

Bethune-Cookman visits the Lady Eagles after 64-55 victory over South Carolina State on Saturday, Jan. 29. Three student-athletes netted in double-figures in the victory. Jasmine Daniels led with 24 points, while Cleniece Roberts followed with 12 points and Jasmine Elum rounded out the top scorers with 10 points. Sarah Bolden blocked four shots, as Parress Davis stole three possessions.

 

Four NCCU student-athletes command the offensive this season, Nwachukwu leads with 14.2 points per contest, Williams is the second-leading scorer at 12.4 points per game, Houston is the third-leading scorer with 6.5 point per game and Shanise Blanks completes the group at 6.4 points per contest. 

 

When it comes to rebounding and blocks, Nwachukwu grabs an average 9.2 boards, while blocking 30 shots this season. Blanks and Williams share in the steals game with 31 apiece. Blanks has allocated 34 assists on the year.

 

As a unit, NCCU averages 49 points per contest, and scores 32 percent from the field, 19 percent from the long range and 63 percent from the free-throw line.

 

Frank, Elum and Jasmine Daniels pace the Lady Wildcats offense. Frank leads at 15.4 points per contest, Elum follows at 14.4 and Daniels is the third-leading scorer at 11.1. On the season, Bolden has blocked 25 shots, while obtaining 6.2 rebounds per game. DJ Fowler has supplied additional B-CU possessions with 32 steals.

 

Collectively, the Lady Wildcats average 57 points per contest, and hit 38 percent from the field, 30 percent from the behind the three-point arc and 66 percent from the charity stripe.

 

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