Game Notes: North Carolina Central at Florida A&M

DURHAM, N.C. – After obtaining three wins of a four-game homestand, the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University look to acquire their first road win of the season on Saturday, Feb. 26 against the Lady Rattlers of Florida A&M (13-13) in Tallahassee, Fla., at 4 p.m.

 

As NCCU (5-22) pursues its first round win this season, the Florida hosts face the maroon and grey for the second time this season and third time all-time. In their first matchup, the Lady Rattlers seized a one-point victory in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Jan. 29.

 

The Lady Eagles fought back from a nine-point second-half deficit to lead the orange and green by one point at the 49-second mark. But a last second layup by FAMU scoring leader Antonia Bennett secured the 63-62 win.

 

NCCU senior Jori Nwachukwu and sophomore Chasidy Williams led the offense with double-figure outings. Nwachukwu poured in 21 points, as Williams netted 15 points. Fellow sophomore J’Mia Pollock pulled down nine rebounds, as Nwachukwu blocked four Lady Rattlers’ shots. Bennett earned a double-double in the win scoring 31 points and seizing 15 boards. Tameka McKelton, who went 5-for-7 from the charity stripe, finished with 11 points, as Qiana Donald grabbed 16 rebounds.

 

The mighty maroon visit the sunshine state following 82-48 loss to North Carolina A&T State on Monday, Feb. 21 in Durham, N.C., before an audience of 2,731 NCCU and N.C. A&T State fans, Nwachukwu and freshman Sierra Solomon scored in double-figures.   Nwachukwu earned her fourth 20-point plus outing with 21 points, along with 11 rebounds, the senior earned her 13th double-double this season. Solomon, who was the lone Eagle to score from the long range, obtained her second consecutive double-figure record with 10 points.

 

Superseding an 88-49 loss to Hampton on Monday, Feb. 21 in Hampton, Va., the Lady Rattlers host the Lady Eagles. Jasmine Grice and Christian Rateree scored 10 points apiece, while Donald and Grice pulled down five rebounds apiece.

 

Nwachukwu, Williams, senior Shanise Blanks and junior Blaire Houston navigate the Lady Eagles offense. Nwachukwu is the leading scorer at 14.4 points per contest, Williams pours in 11.3 points per game, Blanks scores 7.1 points per contest, and Houston rounds out the four with 6.2 points per game.

 

By scoring 33 percent from the field, 21 percent from the three-point arc, and 63 percent from the charity stripe, NCCU averages 50.1 points a game.

 

The Lady Rattlers offense is led by McKelton and Bennett. McKelton scores 16.9 points per game, while Bennett nets 16.2 points per contest. Rebounding is guided by Bennett at 8.4 boards per game and Donald at 8.0 rebounds per contest. On the season, Grice has distributed 50 assists.

 

FAMU averages 64.5 points a game, while scoring 39 percent from the field, 31 percent from long range and 66 percent from the free-throw line.

 

NCCU fans can catch all of the action 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.