Final Box Score: NCCU vs. #10 North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – With North Carolina Central University junior Blaire Houston’s season-high 17 points and a first-half 12-0 run in their favor, the Lady Eagles lost their offensive edge on Monday, Jan. 3 as No. 10 North Carolina cruised to a 97-40 victory in Carmichael Arena on the Chapel Hill, N.C. based campus.

 

Houston’s season-high 17 points began within the first 20 minutes of play, as she led the maroon and grey with 15 points. Her offensive surge, along with senior Jori Nwachukwu’s four points, paced the Lady Eagles on a 12-0 run at the 11:43 mark pushed the Lady Eagles to a one-point lead.

In the final four minutes of the half, North Carolina's She'la White netted a two-pointer pacing the Tar Heel offense to a 16-point margin. Nonetheless, NCCU fought back to cut the deficit to nine points, ending the half at 30-39.

 

Nwachukwu ended the contest with six points, as sophomore Chasidy Williams scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.  Winston-Salem, N.C. native J’Mia Pollock seized eight rebounds for the Lady Eagles.

 

Collectively, NCCU obtained 37 rebounds, hit 77 percent from the charity stripe, stole eight #10 North Carolina possessions and forced 13 Tar Heel turnovers.

 

Four North Carolina student-athletes scored in double-figures. Waltiea Rolle and Krista Gross topped the offense by tying at 16 points apiece. Jessica Breland and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt netted 10 points, respectively. Laura Broomfield paced the rebounding game with 12 boards, while Gross contributed with 11 rebounds. Cetera DeGraffenreid directed the offense with seven assists.

 

As a team, the Tar Heels snatched 56 rebounds, blocked 13 NCCU shots, stole eight Lady Eagle possessions and forced 27 maroon and grey turnovers.

 

The NCCU offense was in full force during the first half of play. Houston put the Lady Eagles on the scoreboard with her infamous “up and under” layup at the 18:31 mark, creating the first tie of the contest (2-2). The Tar Heels quickly went on a 10-4 run, but Nwachukwu’s two-pointer at the 11:43 mark began the 12-0 NCCU run.

 

Following the half-time intermission, the Lady Eagles could not find an offensive rhythm. North Carolina went on a 15-0 run at the 19:43 mark and never looked back. The Tar Heels outscored NCCU 58-10 in the second half to take the win.

 

Monday’s loss drops NCCU to 2-11 on the season, while No. 10 North Carolina advances to 14-0.

 

The Lady Eagles will return to the nest to hosts Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe Delaware State on Saturday, Jan. 8.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon Gym.

 

Lady Eagles fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Paul Doherty and Danielle Johnson-Webb will bring live play-by-play action from McDougald-McLendon Gym. 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.