WINTHROP
SLIPS PAST LADY EAGLES, 62-60Jori Nwachukwu earns her third double-double of season
Written by Ariel V. Germain, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University senior Jori Nwachukwu earned her third double-double performance of the season, but her 19 points and 11 rebounds were not enough to push the Lady Eagles past Winthrop University. NCCU fell to Winthrop 60-62 after a game-winning layup by Dequesha McClanahan with four seconds left on Thursday, Dec. 2 in the McDougald-McLendon Gym.
Along with Nwachukwu’s double-double performance, sophomore Chasidy Williams attributed a season-high 15 points, eight rebounds and five steals on the night. Senior Shanise Blanks added 10 points on the loss.
The host Lady Eagles hit the hardwood with a slow start, trailing by 13 points at the 6:59 mark. A layup by Tiffany Gary changed the NCCU moment, pacing the Lady Eagles on a 15-4 run to tie at the half with 29 points apiece.
Following the intermission, Winthrop began the second half with a new boost of energy. The Palmetto State visitors jumped to a 42-35 lead, paced by a three-pointer by McClanahan. NCCU cut the lead to a one point deficit on a 12-6 run.
The maroon and grey took the first lead of the half at the 2:16 mark with two free throws by Williams. The Lady Eagles kept the margin within six and tied five-times during the half.
At the 2:37 mark, the contest began to go point-for-point. Nwachukwu hit a two-pointer to tie the game at 55 apiece. With 13 seconds left on the clock and NCCU trailing by one point, Blanks hit a free-throw for the fifth tie at 60 apiece.
Winthrop’s McClanahan drove to the basket, ending the game with a layup with four seconds left on the clock.
The garnet and gold offense was paced by sophomore Mary Hathaway with 16 points. McClanahan amassed 13 points for the win. Junior Kaitlyn Rubino controlled the boards for Winthrop with nine rebounds.
By the end of 40 minutes of play, NCCU grabbed 40 rebounds, forced 23 Winthrop turnovers and earned 13 steals.
Winthrop seized 46 boards, forced 27 maroon and grey turnovers and stole the ball 20 times.
NCCU drops to 1-5 on the season, while Winthrop advances to 2-4.
The Lady Eagles begin their three-game road trip on Saturday, Dec. 4 in Orangeburg, S.C. as NCCU takes on its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference competition of the season, South Carolina State.
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.