Box Score DURHAM, N.C. – Despite trailing for more than 90 percent of the contest, redshirt senior Jessica Freeman (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior Racquel Davis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) both collected season-high scoring performances as the Lady Eagles (5-4) snapped their two-game losing streak, defeating the Western Carolina Catamounts (6-4) for the first time in school history, 73-69 on Thursday, Dec. 19, inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Freeman led all-scorers with 26 points, shooting 10-for-16 from the field, 3-for-6 from behind the arc and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe while also tying her season-high in steals with five. In addition, Davis earned her fourth double-double on the season where she earned a season-best 21 points and pulled down a game-best 11 boards to push the series with WCU to 1-3.

The Catamounts opened the contest on a 5-0 run before a basket from junior Rachel Williams (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) put NCCU on the board at the 18 :14 mark. 

The Lady Eagles struggled to find offensive momentum during the first twenty minute frame, bringing the deficit within two points on four occasions but unable to pull ahead.

WCU closed out the first half on an 8-0 run giving them a 10-point lead heading into the locker room.

To start the second half, the Catamounts scored on the opening possession, giving them their largest lead of the contest at 12. NCCU knocked down three-straight shots from behind the arc to answering WCU's run.

At the 7:39 mark, a layup from junior Khyra Conerly (Oakland, Calif.) brought the game within one point for the first time at 56-57.

NCCU was incapable of grasping the lead during the next five minutes, trailing by one two more times before a dish from Conerly to senior Tiffany Gary (Delray Beach, Fla.) on the block tied the contest for the first time (63-63) with 2:17 on the clock.

WCU continued to battle back, after the Catamount's Hana Haden knocked down a three with 2:05 left to play.

A layup from Davis with .55 seconds left on the game clock gave the Lady Eagles their first lead of the contest before the Catamounts began to foul. NCCU shot 5-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch, giving them the four point victory at 73-69.

Rena Wakama and Justin Taylor led the way for WCU scoring 21 and 17 points respectively, shooting a combined 13-for-26 from the field and 8-for-18 from three-point land.

As a team, NCCU shot 23-for-50 from the field (46.0%), 23-for-33 from the charity stripe (69.7%) and 4-for-8 from behind the arc (44.4%), while also collecting 35 boards, 11 assists, eight steals and one block.

The Lady Eagles improve to 5-4 on the season heading into a ten-day break for the holidays.

NCCU travels to Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 29 where the Lady Eagles will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in a noon tip off.