COLUMBIA, S.C. – North Carolina Central gave an inspired effort in a 106-42 women's basketball loss to national powerhouse South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.
Tierney Coleman scored a team-high 14 points for the Eagles, who led briefly early and gave glimpses of their potential as their non-conference season winds down. The NCCU guard was 5 of 8 from the floor, including a career-tying four three-pointers on six attempts. She added four rebounds and two steals.
Coleman scored 11 first-half points as the Eagles were energetic early. Aniya Finger, who finished with nine for the game, knocked down her first career three-pointer for a 3-2 NCCU lead.
Dianna Blake canned a short jumper to put the Eagles ahead 5-4, and Victoria Morris added a corner jumper to extend the margin to 7-4.
In the opening five minutes, NCCU was 4 of 8 from the floor for 50 percent, including 2 of 3 behind the three-point line for 67 percent.
The third-ranked Gamecocks stormed ahead 26-11, but Coleman wowed the crowd with a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first quarter.
USC (9-1 overall) led the rest of the game, but the Eagles gave maximum effort. In the first half, the Eagles led the Gamecocks in field goal percentage (43.5 percent to 40.5 percent) and three-point field goal percentage (40 percent to 20 percent). NCCU was on fire in the second quarter, making 62.5 percent of its shots.
Coleman shot 4 of 7 in the first half, including 3 of 5 behind the three-point arc. She added three rebounds and two assists.
The Eagles (1-8 overall) made their last three jumpers to end the first half, including a Coleman three-pointer to slice the margin to 42-25. The Gamecocks led 46-25 at halftime.
The Gamecocks took complete control in the second half, winning the third quarter 28-2.
The Eagles continued to battle in the fourth quarter. Morris scored four points and Coleman and Aysia Hinton both added three points while Najah Lane dished out three assists in the final frame.
NEXT UP
The Eagles are off the rest of the week before traveling to face High Point on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
