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

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – On Sunday, Dec. 11, the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball team will venture in the Atlantic Coast Conference waters for a 1:30 p.m., matchup with the Hokies of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

Sunday’s matchup mark the first-of-three ACC matchups this season, with contests against Clemson on Sunday, Dec. 18 and #17 North Carolina on Friday, Dec. 30.

NCCU and Virginia Tech meet for the third time in school history, with the both meetings taking place in Blacksburg, Va., the Hokies defeated the Lady Eagles on both occasions.  On Nov. 20, 2008 VT seized its first win of the series 81-45 and then obtained its second win on Dec. 6, 2009, 85-44.

NCCU graduate Shanise Blanks scored 20 points, while senior Blaire Houston and former Lady Eagle Joanna Miller finished with nine points apiece.  Miller assisted Blanks in the leadership responsibility with four rebounds and three assists.  Virginia Tech’s offense was led by Brittany Gordon, Porschia Hadley, Alyssa Fenyn and Utahya Davies.  Gordon and Hadley topped the win with 15 points each, while Fenyn finished with 13 points and Davis dropped 10 pts.  Nikki Davis lobbed six assists, as Davis stole three possessions.  Hadley and Fenyn are still members of the Hokies squad.

NCCU (1-7) returns to the hardwood following a Saturday, Dec. 3 battle against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe North Carolina A&T State University.

In the 10-point loss, the Aggies clutched an 84-74 win.  NCCU junior Chasidy Williams led the maroon and gray with a career-high 27 points, while freshman Kabrina Truesdale finished with 14 points and four assists and sophomore Tiffany Gary provided a career-high 13 points.  Sophomore Alesha Jenkins pulled down nine rebounds and circulated five assists, as senior Blaire Houston shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe and also distributed five assists.

Statistically, the Lady Eagles were 43 percent from the field on 26-of-60 shooting, 3-of-11 from behind the arc, and 63 percent from the charity stripe, 19-of-30. 

On the season, the mighty maroon is 36 percent from the field on 154-of-428 shooting, 30 percent from the long range, and 61 percent from the free-throw line, 81-of-132.  Williams guides the squad in points with 116, rebounds at 56, 18 steals and five blocks on the season.  Williams, Houston and Truesdale lead in steals with 14 apiece.

Virginia Tech (2-6) welcomes the mighty maroon to the Cassell Coliseum following a 66-28 loss to Penn State on Tuesday, Dec. 6.  Tuesday’s setback extended the Hokies losing streak to five consecutive defeats.

Aerial Wilson topped the squad with10 points, as Latorri Hines-Allen pulled down 12 rebounds.  Wilson circulated four assists, while Fenyn blocked two shots and Tellier Monet stole two PSU possessions.

This season, Virginia Tech is 38 percent from the field on 167-of-435, 37 percent from behind the arc and 62 percent from the free-throw line, 77-of-124.  Tellier leads the offense with 136 points on the season, while Wilson has contributed 95 points to the team’s total 442.  Fenyn guides the rebounding effort with 48 boards, as Wilson has circulated 36 assists. 

Lady Eagle supporters can continue their contributions 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.
Tiffany Gary is a 6’1” forward from Delray Beach, Fla.