SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Junior guard
Rodneysha Martin led the visiting North Carolina Central University women's basketball team with 11 points, six points, two steals and two assists in a 77-56 loss at Wofford College early Tuesday.
The Terriers pulled away in the fourth, outscoring the Eagles 24-11. Junior guard Chloe Wanick connected for two consecutive three-pointers to start the final quarter to give Wofford a double-digit advantage for nearly the final 10 minutes. The reigning All-SoCon honoree scored 13 of her career-high 31 points in the last period.
Wofford (2-2) took advantage of 27 NCCU (1-1) fouls, making 28-of-37 free throw attempts for a sizzling 75.7-percentage and outscored the Eagles 28-12 from the charity stripe to remain undefeated in its new Richardson Indoor Stadium.
Martin swished 11 points and has scored in double figures in both NCCU contests this season. Her six rebounds were team-high honors for a second straight game.
Ten different Eagles registered points. Junior
Jayla Calhoun sank eight and sophomore
Paulina Afriyie notched seven. Junior
Caira Benton and sophomore
Jada Blow each tallied six points while juniors
Deja McCain and
Ezinne Mbamalu each totaled five points.
After a close 18-17 first quarter, Wofford scored 12 of its 18 points in the second quarter from the free throw line to extend its lead to 36-30 at halftime. Martin scored six points in the third quarter to help keep the maroon and gray within striking distance heading into the fourth at 53-45.
However, NCCU was held to just three field goals on 17.6% shooting in the fourth quarter. The Terriers took advantage as Wanick scored 13 points in the first five minutes of the period and Wofford connected on 10-of-11 free throws over the last 10 minutes.
Wanick made 10 of her 19 shot attempts and 9 of her 11 tries from the free throw line. She is averaging 25.3 points per game this season. Freshman Da'Ja Green supported Wanick with a season-best 23 points.
The Terriers controlled the boards with a 28-18 advantage at halftime and a 46-40 margin for the game. Sophomore Jamie Grob led all players by pulling down 10 boards. Sophomore Cairo Booker chipped in seven points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Wofford shot 43.4-percent, which was over 10% better than NCCU's mark of 32.8%.
The contest featured nine lead changes in the first half. A made free throw by Martin with 6:54 left in the second quarter had the Eagles up for the last time at 24-22. The Terriers finished the period on a 12-4 rally to move in front for the rest of the day.
NCCU returns home and will immediately host 18th-ranked Oregon State University on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Admission is free.