Final Game Statistics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In spite of North Carolina Central University senior Shanise Blanks coming off the bench sinking 12 points from the behind the arc for the Lady Eagles, the visitor’s 27 turnovers and senior Jori Nwachukwu fouling out of the contest at the 6:46 mark provided the Bison the leverage the needed to take 66-33 win on Saturday, Feb. 5 in Burr Gymnasium on the Howard University campus.

 

NCCU head coach Joli Robinson began the contest with a new starting line-up, freshmen Tenika Neely, Sierra Solomon, Alesha Jenkins, sophomore J’Mia Pollock and senior Sheresa Mills contested for the first possession. The first-time starting five paced the Lady Eagles to a 6-0 lead. Saturday afternoon’s lineup change broke Nwachukwu’s 47-consecutive starting appearances.

 

Durham, N.C. native Tamoria Holmes, who led with 11 points at the half, quickly snapped the NCCU lead, pacing the Bison to a 19-0 run beginning at the 12:27 mark with a score of 24-9. Neely broke the run with a two-point jumper at the 6:26 mark.

 

The Bison netted two free throws and a jumper to end the first-half at 28-11. NCCU’s 11-point scoring, matches the first-half 11-point low outing on Feb. 9, 2010 against Winthrop.

 

As the second-half of play commenced, two-time 2010-11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of Week and three-category MEAC leader (10+ rebounds per game, 20+ points a game outing and double-double performances) Saadia Doyle paced the Bison offense. Doyle scored the first two points of the half from the free-throw line, and went on to score 12 points in the second-half for a total 20 points.

 

Jenkins netted the Lady Eagles first two points of the second-half, followed by Nwachukwu’s first points of the contest at the 16:31 mark. Blanks netted her first three-point basket at the 14:11 pacing a small 7-5 NCCU run, 34-18.

 

Holmes answered back with her own behind the arc shot to launch an eight-minute 20-8 run, 54-23. 

 

In final five minutes of the contest, Blanks attempted to revive the offense with nine points from the long range. But the host team scored 12 final points to cruise to a 66-33 win.

 

Solomon’s last second free throw for 33 points, gave NCCU the one point needed to pass its fourth lowest scoring outing from Dec. 4, 2010 against South Carolina State.

 

Along with Blanks’ 12-point offensive contribution, Jenkins netted five points as the second-leading scorer, followed by Neely and Nwachukwu’s four points apiece. Neely grabbed a season-high five NCCU boards, while Solomon distributed three assists.

 

In terms of a total team performance, NCCU seized 25 rebounds, blocked two shots and stole five Bison possessions. The Lady Eagles netted 41 percent from the free-throw line, 29 percent from the field and 27 percent from the three-point arc.

 

The hosts team was led by Doyle and Holmes, Doyle finished with 20 points in the victory, as Holmes scored 19 points. Cheyenne Curley-Payne hit nine points, while commanding the offense with five assists. Doyle, Curly-Payne, Julee O’Neal and Portia Deterville grabbed six boards apiece. 

 

As a unit, the Bison pulled down 39 rebounds and stole 13 Lady Eagle possessions. With Doyle’s perfect 12-for-12 free-throw performance, Howard scored 77 percent from the charity stripe, while scoring 39 percent from the field and 25 percent from the long range.

 

The Lady Eagles continue their two-game road stand with a 6 p.m. matchup against second ranked MEAC program Hampton University on Monday, Feb. 7 in Hampton, Va.

 

NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Paul Doherty will bring live play-by-play action from the Hampton University campus. 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.