2011-12 Women’s Basketball Information Guide / Game Notes: NCCU at Winthrop

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – On Wednesday, Dec. 21 the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University battles its third Big South opponent of the season, the Lady Eagles of Winthrop at 1:00 p.m. in Rock Hill, S.C.

The two squads meet for the third time in school history, with Winthrop leading the series 2-0. 

The initial meeting between to the two squads took place on Feb. 9, 2010 when Winthrop welcomed the mighty maroon to Rock Hill, S.C., with South Carolina host taking a 57-39 win.  The hosting Lady Eagles seized their most recent win with a 62-60 victory in Durham, N.C., in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Dec. 2, 2010.

In the home loss, NCCU graduate Jori Nwachukwu led the squad with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, while adding two blocks to her statistics.  Junior Chasidy Williams added 15 points to the offensive effort and five steals to the defensive campaign.  Lady Eagle graduate Shanise Blanks dropped 10 points and lobbed four assists.

Winthrop’s winning effort was paced by Mary Hathaway with 16 points, while Dequesha McClanahan gathered 13 points.  Kaitlyn Rubino pulled down nine rebounds, as McClanahan stole five possessions.

NCCU (2-9) enters the Winthrop Coliseum after a 68-48 loss to the Tigers of Clemson on Sunday, Dec. 18 in Clemson, S.C.

Lady Eagles’ category dominator junior Chasidy Williams led the squad with her fifth double-double of the season, scoring 17 points and seizing a season-high 17 rebounds, as newly appointed sharp-shooter junior Jasmine Alston  finished with 11 points, going 3-of-6 from the long range.  NCCU freshman Kabrina Truesdale dropped nine points, pulled down five rebounds, circulated three assists and stole three Clemson possessions in the loss.  

The Lady Eagles were 30 percent from the field on 18-of-60 shooting, 7-of-22 from behind the arc, and 42 percent from the charity stripe, 5-of-12. 

On the season, NCCU holds an overall record of 2-9 and 0-1 in the MEAC.  Statistically the mighty maroon is 37 percent on 219-589 shooting, 38-121 from the long range, and 58 percent from the charity stripe, 102-175.  Williams guides the squad in minutes with 355, points at 170 (17.0), rebounds with 90 (9.0), eight blocked shots and 23 steals, as Truesdale leads in assists with 24.

Winthrop (4-6) hosts the Lady Eagles after a 53-76 loss to Fordham on Saturday, Dec. 17 in Bronx, N.Y.

In the 23-point loss, three South Carolina student-athletes scored in double figures.  Diana Choibekova netted 13 points and circulated three assists, while Samiya Wright and McClanahan finished with 12 points apiece.  Defensively, McClanahan pulled down six boards and stole three possessions, as Rubino blocked two shots.

This season, WU is 39 percent from the field on 247-of-642, 33 percent from behind the arc and 74 percent from the free-throw line, 119-of-162.  McClanahan leads the team with 185 points, 66 assists and 22 steals, as Rubino has blocked four shots and Katie Fitzgerald seized 65 rebounds. 

Winthrop is offering audio, live statistics and video Wednesday’s contest, there is a charge of $4.99 to view the video stream.

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.
Jasmine Alston is a 5’10” forward from Greensboro, N.C.
Chasidy Williams is a 6’0” forward from Fayetteville, N.C.
Alesha Jenkins is a 6’0” forward from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.