Box Score DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – Despite a last minute 15-2 run, 31 costly turnovers led North Carolina Central University to a 27-point, 78-51 loss to Florida A&M on Saturday, Jan. 7 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

In the Saturday afternoon competition, NCCU freshman Kabrina Truesdale and senior Blaire Houston finished in double-figures.  Truesdale finished with 13 points, while Houston dropped 10 points in the loss.  Truesdale also led the Lady Eagles in rebounding with nine rebounds, as sophomore Alesha Jenkins circulated three assists.  Junior Chasidy Williams, who finished with seven points, stole three FAMU possessions.

The Florida foes directed the contest from the opening minutes of play, as the Lady Rattlers paced to a 15-2 run for a 13-point lead at the 13:46 mark.

Maroon and gray sophomore Lakisha Evans, who returned to the hardwood after a month-long injury, netted two free-throws to break the FAMU run for a score of 4-15.

Over the next six minutes of play, Florida A&M extended the margin to 14 points, until NCCU hit a 5-0 run to snap the double-figure margin lead to nine at the 7:17 mark. 

With the first-half of play still in their command, the Lady Rattlers reestablished the double-figure lead with a first-half 22-margin lead high by the 32-second mark.

By the end of the first 20 points of play, Truesdale led the mighty maroon with six points, while Williams and Evans were both 3-of-4 from the charity stripe.

FAMU hit the second half of play with the intent to obtain its sixth consecutive win, outscoring the Lady Eagles 28-7 for the largest lead of the contest at 43 points by the 8:10 mark.

In the final five minutes of play, the mighty maroon was determined to snap the large lead and leave everything on the floor.  Freshman Montreshia Perry paced the squad on 16-2 run at the 4:56 mark, while the maroon and gray defense sent the Lady Rattlers home scoreless in the final minutes of competition.

In the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference competition of the year, the maroon and gray was 36 percent from the field on 16-of-44 shooting, 1-of-5 from behind the arc, and 58 percent from the charity stripe, 18-of-31. 

Four Lady Rattlers scored in double-figures to seal the victory.  Qiana Donald led the squad with a team-high outing and a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Tameka McKelton scored 15 points, Antonia Bennett dropped 11 points and Jasmine Grice netted 10 points. Keturah Martin and Bennett lobbed four assists each, as Bennett also blocked three shots and stole five possessions. 

FAMU was 43 percent from the field on 29-of-68, 4-of-18 from the long range, and 76 percent from the free-throw line, 16-of-21.

NCCU drops to 2-13 on the season, as Florida A&M advances to 9-5 and progresses to 4-0 in the series.

The Lady Eagles will face another Florida-based foe, the Lady Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman on Monday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information on Lady Eagles basketball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.