LADY EAGLES DEFEAT PRESBYTERIAN FOR FIRST WIN AT THE NEST NCCU holds Blue Hose to 13-0 run in the first half  Ariel V. Germain, Sports Information Graduate Assistant DURHAM, N.C. – The Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University earned their first win of the season in a 43-38 home victory over Presbyterian College in the McDougald-McLendon Gym on Saturday, Nov. 20. Senior Jori Nwachukwu came close to her second double-double, earning 15 points, nine rebounds and blocking four Blue Hose attempted shots. Lady Eagles redshirt sophomore Chasidy Williams added to the offensive effort with 11 points and tied with Nwachukwu with nine boards. During the first half of play, the Lady Eagles held the Blue Hose to 13-0 run until the 1:47 mark. Defensively, NCCU forced 12 Presbyterian turnovers, including three shot-clock violation turnovers. NCCU senior Shanise Blanks and freshman Alesha Jenkins contributed to the 55 total rebounds, with seven apiece. By the half, the Lady Eagles led Presbyterian 15-12. Presbyterian entered the second half with a new flair, as Blue Hose freshman Karlee Taylor scored a three-pointer to take the lead, 15-17, at the 19:12 mark. Blanks answered back with a three-pointer to regain the lead (20-19) for the Lady Eagles. The 5-9 guard compiled eight points on the night. NCCU continued to force double-digit Blue Hose turnovers. During the second half, the Lady Eagles turned 11 Presbyterian turnovers into 15 points. Junior Blaire Houston led the steals game for the Lady Eagles with four. Offensively, NCCU broke through the Blue Hose full-court press to earn four points off the fast break. Overall, the Lady Eagles held Presbyterian to a season-low 38 points at a field goal percentage of 19. The Presbyterian offense was led by Taylor with nine points. Sophomores Dria David and Mariah Pietrowski followed Taylor, tying at eight points apiece. Asheville, N.C. native Chelsea Parker grabbed six rebounds for the Blue Hose. The Lady Eagles advance their record to 1-1, while Presbyterian drops to 1-2. NCCU leads the series 2-0. This season, NCCU will face four other Big South opponents: Winthrop (Dec. 2), Gardner-Webb (Dec. 7), Liberty (Dec. 18), and UNC Asheville (Dec. 29). Over the Thanksgiving break, the Lady Eagles will take flight to the Aloha State for the Waikiki Beach Marriott Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu, Hawaii. NCCU will participate in three days of competition beginning on Nov. 26 and ending on Nov. 28. Lady Eagles head coach Joli Robinson will lead NCCU into battle against the University of Hawaii for the first game. For more information on Lady Eagles Basketball or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com. Yours in Sports, Ariel Germain