Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – Making her first collegiate career start, rookie Amber Neely led the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball team scoring a team-high of 10 points during the Lady Eagles home opening loss, 49-37, to the Lady Blue Hose from Presbyterian College Saturday Nov. 24, in McDougald-MeLendon Gymnasium, in Durham, N.C.

Neely, the Charlotte, N.C. native, not only led NCCU offensively, but also led the Lady Eagles on the boards collecting seven rebounds, three shy of the teams first double-double, while forcing two Lady Hose turnovers with two steals.

In addition to Neely’s performance, fellow freshmen Aja Hoyle finished with a total of eight points, four rebounds, and one assist, while redshirt-senior Chasidy Williams amassed seven points, pulled down six boards, dished out three assists and captured four steals.

NCCU took possession of the ball at tipoff giving the Lady Eagles their only lead of the game after a jump shot made by Tiffany Gary at the 19:31 mark. PC went on a 9-0 late in the first half putting them up by as many as nine. Going into the locker room the Lady Eagles only trailed by three points (23-20), after a made layup by Tisha Dixon.

The Lady Eagles struggled to keep the game within their grasp during the second half, not scoring their first basket until Gary’s made free throws with 14:41 left to play. PC took the lead to as many as 19 in the second half before pulling away with the 12 point victory over the Lady Eagles. 

NCCU finished 24.5 percent from the field on 13-of-53 shooting, 20 percent from behind the arc, and 64.3 percent from the free-throw line, 9-of-14, while collecting a total of 34 rebounds, eight assists and 10 steals as a team.

The Lady Blue Hose were led by senior Dria David who scored a game-high of 17 points, dished out four assists, and forced two NCCU turnovers with two steals.

PC as a team shot 52.4 percent from the field on 22-of-42 shooting, 40 percent from behind the arc, and 75 percent from the free-throw line, 3-of-4, while collecting a total of 27 rebounds, 15 assists, six steals and committing 19 turnovers.

NCCU falls 0-5 on the season after the loss, while the Lady Blue Hose advance to .500, 3-3.

The Lady Eagles return home to McDougald-MeLendon Gymnasium Monday, Nov. 26, as they take on Wofford College at 6 p.m, in Durham, N.C.

For more information on NCCU women’s basketball, logon to www.NCCUEaglePride.com.