Box Score NCCU at West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, W. VA. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – The North Carolina Central University women’s basketball team found themselves scoring a historic low in a 97-24 loss to the Mountaineers of West Virginia on Sunday, Nov. 20 in Morgantown, W. Va.

In Sunday’s contest, the Lady Eagles broke the record for the fewest points scored, a record set on Jan. 4, 2009 at Oklahoma, where the maroon and gray accumulated 25 points, while tallying a season-high 42 turnovers in the loss.

NCCU junior Chasidy Williams was held to season-low eight points, while sophomores Alesha Jenkins and Lakisha Evans followed with four points apiece.  Williams pulled down seven rebounds, as Neely and freshman Kabrina Truesdale circulated one assist each.

The Lady Eagles began the hardwood matchup with an early two-point lead and held WVU scoreless until the 17:15 mark. 

To take the lead of the afternoon, the Mountaineers went on an 11-0 run for their first steepest margin lead. 
At the 10:27 mark, Jenkins sinked a layup to initiate a small 4-0 run and stifle the WVU defense.  But the Mountaineers answered back and outscored the Lady Eagles 22-6 for a first-half score of 41-14.

After the halftime intermission, Williams opened the half with a three-point basket, which senior Blaire Houston accompanied with a free-throw at the 18:41 mark for a score of 43-18.  Over the next 13 minutes of play, the NCCU offense went silent as WVU went on a 38-0 run for 63-point margin lead.

Williams and freshman Montreshia Perry dropped the final baskets of the competition from the long range for a score of 86-24, to break the vast run.

In the final five minutes of play, WVU went on another 11-0 run for a final score of 97-24.

Four Mountaineers scored in double-figures, with Jessica Harlee and Taylor Palmer dropping 20 points apiece, while Asya Bussie and Akilah Bethel finished with 12 points each.  Harlee and Bussie pulled down eight rebounds apiece, as Brooke Hampton lobbed nine assists and Harlee stole seven NCCU possessions.

By the numbers, the Lady Eagles were 20 percent from the field on 10-of-51 shooting, 3-of-14 from behind the arc, and 50 percent from the charity stripe, 1-of-2. 

The Mountaineers sealed the win on 44 percent from the field on 37-of-84, 3-of-18 from the long range, and 91 percent from the free-throw line, 20-of-22.

On the season, the maroon and gray drops to 0-4, while West Virginia advances to 2-1 and 3-0 in the series.
The Lady Eagles return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 23 for a 6:00 p.m. matchup against Morris in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

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