Box Score
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – North Carolina Central University women’s basketball freshman Amber Neely earned her first career double-double as the Lady Eagles fell to the Runnin’ Bulldogs from Gardner-Webb Saturday Dec. 22, in Boiling Springs N.C., at the Paul Porter Arena.

The Charlotte, N.C., native scored a game-high of 16 points while collecting 11 rebounds, recording season-highs in both categories. Neely also contributed one assist and three steals, playing in all but one minute of the contest.

Fellow NCCU freshman, Tisha Dixon, pulled down double-digit rebounds, gathering a team season-high of 13 boards. In addition, Dixon scored five points, one steal, and blocked one GWU shot.

During the first half of play GWU started on a 7-0 run, holding the Lady Eagles scoreless until a basket by Neely at the 12:08 mark. NCCU brought the game within four at 10-6 after a layup from freshman Aja Hoyle with 10:42 left on the first half clock.  

The Runnin’ Bulldogs led by as many as 19 during the first twenty minutes, finishing out the half on a 19-8 run. The Lady Eagles took a 15 point defecate into the locker room, trailing GWU 29-14.

Hoyle led NCCU at half time with six points, while Neely had already collected eight of her 11 boards. 

During the second half the Runnin’ Bulldogs went ahead by as many as 26 before defeating the Lady Eagles 54-32.

NCCU finished 17 percent from the field on 9-for-53 shooting, collected a total of 37 team boards, forced 22 GWU turnovers, shot 1-for-4 from long-range and 76.5 percent from the charity stripe, on 13-for-17 shooting.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs were led by Candace Brown, Jasmine Dale and Lana Doran. Brown finished the contest with 13 points, four boards, four steals and three assists, while Dale and Doran contributed 11 and 10 points apiece.

As a team, GWU finished 48.9 percent from the field on 23-for-47 shooting, grasped 38 rebounds, forced 24 Lady Eagle turnovers, blocked 12 NCCU shots, stole 14 possessions, dished out 17 assists, shot 45.5 percent from the 3-point line (5-for-11), and finished 30 percent from the free-throw line (3-for-10).

NCCU returns to action in 2013 as they begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Lady Eagles travel to Florida A&M on Saturday Jan. 12, where they will take on the Lady Rattlers at 4 p.m.

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