2011-12 Women’s Basketball Information Guide / Game Notes

DURHAM, N.C. (www. NCCUEaglePride.com) – When the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball hits the Morgantown, W. Va., hardwood on Sunday, Nov. 20, the Lady Eagles will not only face their first and only Big East opponent of the season, West Virginia in the West Virginia Coliseum at 2:00 p.m., but also look to snap an early three-game losing streak.

On Sunday, NCCU plans to add a win to their overall schedule and to their all-time series record against the Mountaineers, WVU owns a 2-0 advantage on the Lady Eagles.

WVU defeated the mighty maroon 70-31 in the opening series matchup on Nov. 14, 2008 in Morgantown, W. Va.  The Mountaineers seized their second all-time series win in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Dec. 21, 2010.  In front of 879 Lady Eagle fans, junior Chasidy Williams netted 10 points, while junior J’Mia Pollock pulled down six rebounds.
NCCU (0-3) enters Mountaineers’ territory following a 59-41 loss to Campbell University on Thursday, Nov. 17 in Durham, N.C. 

Senior Blaire Houston finished with her first double-figure outing of the season with 12 points, while Williams concluded the contest with 10 points.  Williams pulled down five boards, distributed two assists and stole four CU possessions in the loss.

By the numbers, NCCU finished at 30 percent from the field on 15-of-50 shooting, 20 percent from the long range, and 67 percent from the charity stripe, 10-of-15.  Collectively, the Lady Eagles pulled down 40 rebounds, circulated six assists, blocked five shots and stole 10 CU possessions.

On the season, the maroon and gray is 35 percent from the field on 56-of-160 shooting, 30 percent from the long range, and 53 percent from the free-throw line, 26-of-49.  Williams guides the squad in points with 48, rebounds at 22, and steals with eight on the season.  Pollock, who returned to the hardwood after a two-game absence, now leads in blocks at four after her first regular-season competition, as sophomore Sierra Solomon has circulated eight assists.

WVU welcomes the Eagles after 56-48 loss to St. Bonaventure on Friday, Nov. 18 at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, W. Va.  Brooke Hampton topped the offense with 13 points, while Jessica Harlee tallied a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Ayana Dunning pulled down 10 boards, as Hampton circulated four assists.

The Mountaineers concluded the home loss at 28 percent from the field on 16-of-57 shooting, 33 percent from the long range and 52 from the charity stripe, 12-of-23.  As a unit, WVU seized 46 rebounds, seven assists, nine blocks and four steals.

This season, the mountain-based foes are 35 percent from the field on 44-of-124, 32 percent from behind the arc and 57 percent from the free-throw line, 17-of-30.  Taylor Palmer commands the offense with 36 points, as Dunning leads the rebounding effort with 25.  Asya Bussie has forced three turnovers with three steals on the season, while Dunning and Harlee have blocked five opponents’ shots.

NCCU fans can catch all of the action through a live stream on MSNsportsNet.com.

Lady Eagle supporters can contribute to NCCU head coach Joli Robinson’s “Share the Warmth” campaign, by donating new to gently used outerwear and blankets throughout the first-half of the 2011-12 season.  Donation bins can be found at the main entrances of the gymnasium.

For more information on Lady Eagles Basketball or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.

Probable Starters...
Blaire Houston is a 5’5” guard from South Plainfield, N.J. 
Tenika Neely is a 5’6” guard from Charlotte, N.C.
Chasidy Williams is a 6’0” forward from Fayetteville, N.C.
Alesha Jenkins is a 6’0” forward from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Lakisha Evans is a 6’1” forward from Chapel Hill, N.C.