Final Game Statistics Photo Gallery
DURHAM, N.C. – Maintaining possessions during Monday night’s contest was challenging for the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University as the Lady Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University stole 31 maroon and grey passes to seize an 82-48 victory in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
From tipoff to the 9:07 mark, the Lady Eagles and Lady Aggies varied between a five to nine-point margin. Until N.C. A&T State senior Jalessa Sams netted a two-point basket to pace the visitors on an 11-point run, increasing the margin to 18, 14-32. With less than three minutes left in the half, the blue and gold would go on to score eight additional points, while NCCU poured in four.
By stealing 16 NCCU possessions and forcing 22 turnovers in the first half, the blue and gold held the Lady Eagles to 39 percent from the field, 50 percent from the charity stripe and scoreless from the long range.
Offensive leader senior Jori Nwachukwu, was the only Lady Eagle in double-figures entering into the second half with 12 points. Sophomore J’Mia Pollockpulled down seven rebounds in the opening twenty minutes. Both teams headed to the locker room for halftime intermission, with the visitors leading by 21 points with a score of 40-19.
Following the halftime intermission, the Lady Aggies continued to flourish from their first half surge. Within the first 10 minutes of play, the blue and gold went on a 22-14 run for a score of 64-33.
Nwachukwu sank two free-throw shots to chisel away at the 31-point lead at the 8:39 mark. The scoring leader, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds obtaining her 12th double-double this season, netted two an additional two shots from the charity stripe to pace the mighty maroon on a 12-2 run for a score of 71-46 (2:40 mark).
N.C. A&T freshman Alishia Mosley revived the offense, with a three-point basket at the 2:40 mark. Mosley’s shot in the final minutes of competition, concluded the contest with the Lady Aggies going on an 11-4 run to end Monday night’s game with a score of 82-48.
In combination with Nwachukwu’s 12th double-double outing, freshman Sierra Solomon seized her second double-figure outing with 10 points for the Lady Eagles. NCCU scored 67 percent from the charity stripe, 38 percent from the field and 33 percent from the long range.
Lady Aggies’ sophomore Jaquayla Berry led the double-figure scorers with 24 points, while Tracy King netted 14 points, and Nikia Gorham poured in 10 points. Sams and Gorham pulled down a combined 22 rebounds, as Berry distributed six assists.
As a unit, N.C. A&T State pulled down 35 rebounds, forced 39 NCCU turnovers and stole 31 Lady Eagle possessions. The Aggies scored 48 percent from the field, 25 percent from the long range and 59 percent from the charity stripe.
On the season, NCCU drops to 5-22, while N.C. A&T State advances to 13-12.
The Lady Eagles hit the road for the last time this season, traveling to the sunshine state to face Florida A&M on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 4:00 p.m. and Bethune-Cookman on Monday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Chris Hooks will bring live play-by-play action from Florida A&M. Eagle Gameday, the pregame show, will air 15 minutes prior to tip-off.
For more information on Lady Eagles basketball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at
www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
