2011-12 Women’s Basketball Information Guide / NCCU at Howard Game Notes

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – After hosting the first two contests of 2012, the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University (2-14) hit the road for a Monday, Jan. 16 hardwood matchup against the Bison of Howard University (11-6) at 5:30 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C.

NCCU and the Nation’s Capital foes meet for the second time in school history on Monday night, with HU leading the series with an opening season win during the 2010-11 campaign.  In the 33-66 loss on Saturday, Jan 5, 2011, the Bison defeated the Lady Eagles in Burr.  NCCU graduate Shanise Blanks led the squad with the only double-figure outing with 12 points, while 2010-11 leading scorer Jori Nwachukwu fouled out the contest and was held to a season-low four points.

The Lady Eagles enter “The Burr” following a 54-64 loss to the Lady Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman on Monday, Jan. 9 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

After trailing by 21 points through the first-half of competition, the mighty maroon paced to a 15-5 run over the first eight minutes of play in the second half to break the margin to nine.  Junior Chasidy Williams guided the Lady Eagles with 12 points, including a 4-of-4 outing from the free-throw in the last 20 minutes of night.

Williams, who finished the night with 25 points, pulled down six rebounds and stole six Lady Wildcat possessions.  NCCU freshman Montreshia Perry, who was a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe and 2-of-4 from the long range, achieved her first double-figure outing as a Lady Eagle with 12 points.  Sophomore Tenika Neely circulated four assists, as fellow classmate Tiffany Gary grabbed six boards.

In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup, the maroon and gray was 37 percent from the field on 18-of-49 shooting, 2-of-7 from behind the arc, and 80 percent from the charity stripe, 16-of-20. 

On the season, the maroon and gray is 36 percent from the field on 299-of-838 shooting, 28 percent from the long range, and 61 percent from the free-throw line, 167-of-273.  Williams guides NCCU with 237 points, 115 rebounds, 41 steals and 10 blocks, while Truesdale leads in assists with 30.

HU hosts the maroon and gray after a two-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference road trip.  With a 3-1 record in conference play, the Bison return to Burr following a 73-50 win over Norfolk State (Jan. 9) in Norfolk, Va.  Saadia Doyle netted a season-high 25 points, while she and Zykia Brown pulled down six rebounds apiece.

As a squad, Howard is 36 percent from the field on 361-of-1003 shooting, 25 percent from the long range and 75 percent from the free-throw line, 215-of-286.

Lady Eagle supporters can continue their contributions to NCCU head coach Joli Robinson’s “Share the Warmth” campaign, by donating new to gently used outerwear and blankets throughout the 2011-12 season.  Donation bins can be found at the main entrances of the gymnasium.

NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Chris Hooks and Danielle Johnson-Webb will bring live play-by-play action from Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C.  Eagle Gameday built by Dayeco Construction Co. will air 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

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.