WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - It has been five years since the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball team has been eligible to participate in the big show and on Monday, March 5 the Lady Eagles make their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament debut with a 4:00 p.m. matchup against Coppin State University in the Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.
 
“It has been a long road to this moment and we are excited to be here,” said head NCCU women’s basketball coach Joli Robinson.
 
Since their last tournament appearance in 2007, when the mighty maroon were members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, NCCU has been forging through its transition to the Division I ranks.  In 2007, the Lady Eagles seized an 89-72 victory over Elizabeth City State on March 3, 2007 to clutch the CIAA Title.  Following the win, NCCU advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals where they lost to Georgia College and State 63-72.
 
“This tournament is important to all our student-athletes and it is critical to our lone senior Blaire Houston who knew this day would come when signed four years ago,” said Robinson.
 
In the single-game elimination competition, NCCU will face the Lady Eagles of CSU.  The two Lady Eagle squads meet for the fifth time in school history, after the maroon and gray dropped a 44-84 decision to the team in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 21, 2012. During the away loss, junior Chasidy Williams dropped 15 points and was four boards shy of achieving a double-double with six rebounds, as senior Blaire Houston netted 10 points and collected three steals. Sophomore Alesha Jenkins circulated three assists in the afternoon matchup.
 
The maroon and gray finished the hardwood matchup at 43 percent from the field on 18-of-42 shooting, 2-of-8 from behind the arc, and 46 percent from the charity stripe, 6-of-16.
 
NCCU enters the tournament after a 35-86 loss to the Lady Pirates of Hampton University on Thursday, March 1 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
 
Maroon and gray junior Chasidy Williams finished the last home contest with a team-high 12 points and six rebounds, as solo senior Blaire Houston added six points.
 
The mighty maroon was 28 percent from the field on 9-of-32 shooting, 2-of-10 from behind the arc, and 75 percent from the charity stripe, 15-of-20. 
 
CSU head coach Derek Brown, who is in his 12^th season, will lead the Lady Eagles in tournament action after a 58-55 in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Thursday, March 1.
 
NCCU (3-26) is 36 percent from the field on 526-of-1444 shooting, 81-of-282 from behind the arc, and 61 percent from the charity stripe, 316-of-520.  Williams guides NCCU with 413 points, 212 rebounds, 63 steals and 20 blocks, while Houston leads in assists with 55.
 
Coppin State (18-11) is 38 percent from the field on 635-of-1671 shooting, 87-of-330 from the behind the arc, and 63 percent from the free-throw line, 463-of-734.  Jeanine Manley guides the squad with 382 points and 31 blocks, while Crystal Whittington has pulled 199 rebounds, Shawntee Payne has circulated 95 assists and Ashle Craig has stolen 69 opponents’ possessions.
  
NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Chris Hooks will bring live play-by-play action from the Lawrence Joel Coliseium.  Lady Eagle Gameday built by Dayeco Construction Co. will air 15 minutes prior to tip-off.
 
For more information on Lady Eagles Basketball or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
 
Probable Starters...
Blaire Houston is a 5’6” guard from Plainfield, N.J.
Tenika Neely is a 5’6” guard from Charlotte, N.C.
Jasmine Alston is a 5’10” forward from Greensboro, N.C.
Chasidy Williams is a 6’0” forward from Fayetteville, N.C.
Lakisha Evans is a 6’1” forward from Chapel Hill, N.C.