Box Score
NCCU v. Coppin State / NCCU Combined Statistics

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - In their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament debut on Monday, March 5, the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball suffered a 37-76 loss to the Lady Eagles of Coppin State University in the Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.
 
Maroon and gray scoring leader Chasidy Williams finished the night and capped the season with 13 points, five rebounds and four steals, while Lakisha Evans, who has progressively increased her offensive effort this season, tallied 11 points, five boards and one block.  Senior Blaire Houston who leads in assists lobbed in three assists in the loss.
 
CSU opened the contest pacing to an 11-2 lead by the 17:11 mark.
 
The Lady Eagles hit an 8-6 run to bring the margin to five by the 10:07 for score of 17-12.
 
But as the maroon and gray offense suffered a scoring draught, CSU managed a 21-0 run to lead by 26 for a score of 38-12.
 
Houston revived the scoring efforts, as she paced the squad on a 6-2 run at the 1:52 mark to end the first-half score of 40-18
 
At the halftime intermission, Williams tallied five points and three steals, while Evans notched four points and one block.
 
CSU returned to the hardwood and extended its lead to 41 points for a final score of 76-37 and a chance to progress to the next round of the 2012 MEAC tournament.
 
“Playing tonight and reaching this tournament was bittersweet,” said NCCU head coach Joli Robinson.  “We didn’t conclude with the desired results, but this contest gave our student-athletes the opportunity to gain conference tournament experience and prepare for next season’s play.”
 
The maroon and gray concluded the contest at 43 percent from the field on 17-of-40 shooting, 1-of-8 from behind the arc, and 17 percent from the charity stripe, 2-of-12. 
 
Three CSU Lady Eagles scored in double-figures to seal the victory, including a double-double from Crystal Whittington with 13 points and 12 rebounds.  Shawntae Payne notched a team-high 17 points and two blocks, as Leola Spotwood tallied 12 points and three steals.  Ashle Craig circulated six assists among her Lady Eagles.
 
CSU was 43 percent from the field on 29-of-67, 4-of-19 from the long range, and 52 percent from the free-throw line, 14-of-27.
 
NCCU ends the season with a record of 3-27 and 1-15 in the MEAC.
 
Lady Eagle basketball fans can gain more information by visiting the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.