NCCU freshman guard Amber Neely collected 13 points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists at UNCG. (File photo by Red Rocket Photography)

Women's Basketball

SECOND-HALF LEAD SLIPS AWAY FROM NCCU IN 49-39 LOSS AT UNCG

NCCU’s Chasidy Williams, Amber Neely Lead All Scorers with 13 points

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina Central University senior Chasidy Williams and freshman Amber Neely topped all scorers with 13 points apiece, but UNCG rallied from a second-half deficit to beat the Lady Eagles 49-39 on Wednesday night inside Fleming Gymnasium in Greensboro, N.C.

In a physical, back-and-forth contest, NCCU won the rebounding battle with a season-high 43 boards, including 23 on the offensive glass, compared to 34 total rebounds for the Spartans. The visiting Lady Eagles also collected a season-best 15 steals, but turned the ball over 25 times, resulting in 20 points for UNCG.

Both teams struggled to find the mark in the opening 20 minutes of action. NCCU shot 6-of-26 from the field (23.1 percent), while the Spartans connected on 8-of-31 (25.8 percent), as UNCG held a slim 19-17 halftime advantage.

In the second half, a pair of free throws by Williams provided NCCU with a 22-21 lead at the 17:35 mark.

UNCG responded with a 16-2 run, which included a Lady Eagles’ scoring drought of more than seven-and-a-half minutes, as the Spartans took control of the game with a 37-24 cushion with 12:11 left to play.

NCCU scored the next four points to narrow the gap to nine points, but that was as close as the Lady Eagles would get the rest of the way.

UNCG improved its shooting success rate in the second half by making 11-of-24 shots from the floor (45.8 percent), while the Lady Eagles hit just 7-of-29 of their shot attempts (24.1 percent) after intermission.

To go along with the game-high 13 points, Williams added six rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots, while Neely contributed five boards, two assists and two steals. NCCU rookie forward Tisha Dixon recorded six points and eight rebounds, junior center Tiffany Gary grabbed eight caroms with three steals, and junior guard Tenika Neely posted four points, four rebounds and four steals.

UNCG (3-6) was paced by guard Lucy Mason with 12 points, followed by Janae’ Stevenson with eight points. Sarafina Arthur-Williams came off the Spartans’ bench for eight points, five rebounds and four steals.

Up next, NCCU (0-13) visits Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C., on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.
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