DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University women's basketball team will make its 2020-21 season debut with a non-conference game at Campbell University on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
GAME INFO:
DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2 PM
LOCATION: Gore Arena, Buies Creek, N.C.
TICKETS: NO fans allowed
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GAME NOTES:
NC Central;
Campbell
NC CENTRAL SNIPPETS:
The Eagles are coming off their best season since joining the DI ranks with head coach
Trisha Stafford-Odom guiding NCCU to a 13-17 overall record and 9-7 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The 13 total wins and nine league wins are both program records at the DI level as Stafford-Odom enters her fourth season mentoring the Eagles in 2020-21.
NC won its last game of the season, knocking off rival North Carolina A&T State University in the MEAC Tournament to advance to the semifinals for the first time. However, that next game was never played due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Eagles won six of their last seven games and will enter the new season on a two-game win streak.
A pair Preseason All-MEAC honorees return for the maroon and gray, who combined for nearly 30 points per game last season. Senior guard
Kieche White will be the lone four-year letter winner on the team. White averaged 14.0 points per game and led the Eagles in total steals (50) and made 3-pointers (33). Sophomore forward
Anissa Rivera nearly averaged a double-double as a rookie with 13.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while also leading NCCU with 50 blocks.
CAMPBELL SNIPPETS:
The Camels are the preseason favorites in the Big South Conference after going 21-8 last season and winning the regular season title with at 16-4 league ledger. Campbell has had back-to-back, 20-win seasons under the leadership of reigning Big South Coach of the Year Ronny Fisher.
Junior guard Luana Serranho was a BSC All-Conference Honorable Mention selection last season after starting all 29 games and leading the Camels with 9.7 points, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Serranho along with senior forward Taya Bolden (8.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and junior guard Shy Tuelle (8.9 PPG, 1.7 made 3-pointers/game) have all received preseason recognition by the Big South Conference.
SERIES:
Campbell holds a sturdy 16-3 series lead over the Eagles, but NCCU was victorious over the Camels last season. The Eagles used a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to rally for the 67-64 home win, including White scoring nine of her game-high 21 points in the final frame on Nov. 19, 2019. Tuelle netted a double-double for Campbell, scoring a team-high 14 points with four made 3-pointers, while also pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds.
NCCU finished with a 5-9 road record last season while Campbell boasted a 12-2 record at home.
