DURHAM, N.C. — Senior forward Paulina Afriyie led all players in every major statistical category in pacing the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team to an 83-48 rout of Washington Adventist University Tuesday evening in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
Afriyie finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. Afriyie completed her second double-double of the season and 19th of her career with season-high point and rebound totals. Her five assists matched a career-best helper total in a single game.
 
The Eagles used relentless defense on the way to 22 steals, which matched NCCU's NCAA Division I era record for thefts in a game that occurred over 10 years ago against Savannah State University (Jan. 24, 2009).  A total of 10 Eagles came up with steals on WAU's 33 turnovers, including four steals by both Afriyie and freshman Nyasia Palmer. Redshirt freshman Faith Williams followed with a trio of thefts.
 
NCCU (2-9 Overall) had three double-digit scorers. Junior Kieche White and sophomore Jasmine Pollock followed Afriyie with 12 and 11 points, respectively. White made three 3-pointers on the way to her dozen points. Pollock matched her season-best scoring output, while also contributing a career-high five assists.
 
The Eagles led from the start, scoring nine unanswered points to begin the contest. The opening run featured a couple baskets by sophomore Ashlyn Lockard and a 3-pointer by junior Zaria Atkins. NCCU continued to lead by that same nine-point margin, 23-14, after the first quarter. The Eagles doubled up that advantage to 18 points late in the second quarter on a layup by Afriyie, but the Shock scored the final four points of the half to stay within striking distance, 41-27, at the midway break.
 
However, another 9-0 run to start the second half allowed the Eagles to fly away to its 30-plus point victory in over three years. NCCU dominated the second half, doubling up the Shock 42-21.
 
Afriyie did most of her damage in the first half, as she led all players into the locker room with 16 points, seven rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks.
 
All 11 Eagles that eventually played scored. Lockard finishing with eight points, Palmer providing seven points and Atkins and sophomore Kiyana Brown each tallying six points.
 
Washington Adventist (4-8) received nine-point performances from both senior Diamond Rankine and sophomore Yamirah Bennett-Bernabela.
 
NC Central will try and level its home record to 3-3 when the Eagles entertain Lincoln (Pa.) University on Saturday at 2 p.m.