Final Game Statistics Video Interview with Joli Robinson
DURHAM, N.C. - For the first time during the 2010-11 campaign, four Lady Eagles netted in double-figures for North Carolina Central University’s second-straight win on Monday, Feb. 14, with a 60-50 victory over Coppin State in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
“Having four student-athletes score in double-figures displays our growth as a team,” said NCCU head coach Joli Robinson. “It also shows the development of our young ladies self-confidence, while making other student-athletes an offensive threat.”
NCCU (4-21) collected a total 51 points from its upperclassmen leadership. Obtaining her 11th double-double this season, senior Jori Nwachukwu poured in 19 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Junior Blaire Houston obtained 12 points. Senior Shanise Blanks and sophomore Chasidy Williams matched in scoring and rebounding, sinking 10 points and three boards apiece.
“When Jori returned to the team, we knew she was capable of great things,” said Robinson about Nwachukwu’s 11th double-double. “She is starting to feel her way, and it good for her and our program.”
The first-half of play consisted of nine lead changes and five ties. Coppin State’s Larissa Carter scored the visiting Eagles’ first two points of the contest, NCCU’s Williams quickly put the Lady Eagles on the board with a layup for the first tie of the game. The two teams went point-for-point until a Houston, Nwachukwu, and Blanks run placed the maroon and grey on their first main lead of the contest.
Coppin State’s Shawntee Payne netted a three-point basket at the 13:09 mark to pace the visitors on a short 7-point run to regain the lead, 15-12.
With a little over 12 minutes of play remaining in the first-half, the maroon and grey went on a 16-9 run, ending the first half with a five-point lead, 32-27.
“We are beginning to understand and exhibit good defensive play,” said Robinson. “Being more patient and confident on defensive provides more control on offensive.”
The Lady Eagles returned from the locker room after the halftime intermission with a strong offensive and defensive fire. NCCU never let Coppin State within six points in final 20 minutes of play. By the 16:32 mark, the host team pulled away to a 12-point margin. Nwachukwu netted the first four points, while freshman Tenika Neely sinked two points from the free-throw line and Williams added the final four points of the run for the double-digit margin scoring..
At the 15:57 mark, CSU paced to a 9-5 run to snap the double-digit margin to six points.
For a four-minute span, both teams went cold from the field. But a rebound by Nwachukwu, who seized her 10th board on the night sealing her double-double, and dominate layup past two defenders revived the offense.
NCCU’s Blanks hit a three-point basket at the 4:36 mark for a 14-point lead over Coppin State, 55-41. The sharp-shooter netted a free throw with 18 seconds left on the clock, earning the final point of the contest and making her the fourth double-digit performer on the night.
Coppin State was topped by Kyra Coleman with 11 points and Larissa Carter at 10 points and seven rebounds on the night. The NCCU defensive held the visiting Eagles to 32 percent from the field and 20 percent from the charity stripe.
The Lady Eagles out-rebounded the visitors 41-31, and distributed three more assist than Coppin State, 12-9.
NCCU returns to the McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 19, hosting the Lady Spartans of Norfolk State at 2:00 p.m.
