Box Score
Box Score    

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina Central University rookies Tisha Dixon and Aja Hoyle combined for 23 points during the Lady Eagles’ season-opening 80-31 loss at Charlotte in Halton Arena on Saturday.

Dixon, a native of Kinston, N.C., scored a game-high 13 points on 3-for-5 shooting from the floor and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line, to go along with six rebounds. Hoyle, out of Hickory, N.C., contributed 10 points, six boards and a steal for the Lady Eagles.

NCCU senior Chasidy Williams, a preseason all-conference pick, finished the night with two points on 1-of-3 shooting from the field, two rebounds and two assists.

Charlotte was paced by Amanda Dowe with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Jennifer Hailey posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The 49ers stormed out to a 20-0 lead before Hoyle score the first basket for the Lady Eagles more than 11 minutes into the contest. The home team piled on the points in the remainder of the first half and took a 45-8 cushion into the locker room.

NCCU made only 3 of 17 field goal attempts in the first 20 minutes (17.6 percent).

The Lady Eagles nearly tripled their offensive output in the second half with 23 points and improved their shooting to 35.7 percent, but it was not enough to overcome the large first-half deficit and 28 turnovers on opening night.

NCCU returns to action on Monday, Nov. 12 at Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.