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

DURHAM, N.C. (www. NCCUEaglePride.com) – The two-game Thanksgiving holiday homestand has be successful for the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball and on Saturday, Nov. 26 the squad looks for its second win of the week with a 2:00 p.m. contest against the Spartans of UNC Greensboro in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
UNCG owns the three-game series with a 0-3 lead over the Lady Eagles.

The Spartans seized their most recent win on Dec. 16, 2009 during the 2009-10 season with 70-57 win in Greensboro, N.C.  In the loss, former NCCU student-athlete Joanna Miller netted in double-figures with 25 points, while junior J’Mia Pollock finished with 10 points.  Miller pulled down seven rebounds, as former student-athlete Danielle Deberry lobbed three assists and Pollok stole three possessions.

UNCG’s effort was paced by Amy Clapper Lakiah Hyson, Brey Dorsett, Kendra Smith and Dayshaun Richbow.  Clapper and Hyson finished with 11 points apiece, while Dorsett dropped 10 points.  Smith grabbed eight rebounds, as Richbow tallied five steals. 

NCCU (1-4) hosts the Spartans after a 66-58 win over Morris College in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

NCCU freshman Kabrina Truesdale topped the offensive powerhouse with 15 points.  Sophomore Alesha Jenkins was one rebound shy of a double-double, with a career-high 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while senior Blaire Houston and sophomore Tenika Neely finished with 13 points apiece.  Neely’s performance was also a career-high, as Houston stole a game-high four possessions.  Along with the four double-figure outings and three career-high achievements, Houston was a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe, while Neely was also a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.

By the numbers, the Lady Eagles were 41 percent from the field on 24-of-59 shooting, 1-of-5 from behind the arc, and 74 percent from the charity stripe, 17-of-23.

On the season, the maroon and gray is 33 percent from the field on 90-of-270 shooting, 27 percent from the long range, and 60 percent from the free-throw line, 44-of-74.  Junior Chasidy Williams guides the squad in points with 56, rebounds at 29, and steals with nine on the season.  Junior J’Mia Pollock leads in blocks at four, as Truesdale has circulated 10 assists.

UNC Greensboro (0-3) hits interstate 85 after a 67-75 loss to Radford University on Nov. 21 in Radford, Va.
In the loss, UNCG’s Breonna Patterson and Natalie Headley finished in double-figures with Patterson sinking 23 points and Headley following with 13 points.  Patterson also pulled down six rebounds, as Headley tossed three assists.

This season, Spartans are 31 percent from the field on 58-of-185, 24 percent from behind the arc and 58 percent from the free-throw line, 23-of-40.  Patterson leads the offense with 28 points, as Jarae Savage has pulled down 16 rebounds and Headley has tossed five assists. 

NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Paul Doherty will bring live play-by-play action from McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.  Lady Eagle Gameday, the pregame show, will air 15 minutes prior to tip-off.  Along with following Doherty, NCCU fans can view live statistics online at www.NCCUEaglePride.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.
Jasmine Alston is a 6’10” forward from Greensboro, N.C.