LADY EAGLES CHALLENGE #6 WEST VIRGINIA UNTIL LATE SURGE
Ariel V. Germain 12/21/10

NCCU pushes through an early 20-point deficit

DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University sophomores Chasidy Williams and J’Mia Pollock put forth their best efforts in the paint and on the boards, but Williams’ 10 points and Pollock’s eight rebounds could not push the Lady Eagles past No. 6 West Virginia on Tuesday, Dec. 21 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. NCCU fell to the nationally-ranked Mountaineers 71-39.

Lady Eagles senior Shanise Blanks amassed eight points in the loss, while fellow senior Jori Nwachukwu earned five points, five rebounds and blocked two Mountaineers shots.

The Mountaineers’ speed, size and defense held the NCCU offense at bay until the 14:42 mark. Freshman Alesha Jenkins hit a layup to put the maroon and grey on the scoreboard. By the Lady Eagles first two points of the contest, West Virginia led with 20 points. In the first half, the old gold and blue led by as many as 23 points.

NCCU junior Blaire Houston supplied a stunning up and under layup in Mountaineers’ territory to give the Lady Eagles their closest margin of the first half at 17 points.

By the end of the first 20 minutes of play, West Virginia led by 18 points (38-20). NCCU forced 12 Mountaineers turnovers, held the visitors to just 27 percent shooting from the long range and grabbed one board less than West Virginia (17-16).

After trailing 20-0, NCCU outscored the Mountaineers 20-18 during the last 15 minutes of the first half.

The Lady Eagles began the second half of play with new energy, forcing the Mountaineers to send NCCU to the free throw line three times in under six minutes of play. With four points from the charity stripe and a jumper from Nwachukwu (13:00 mark), the Lady Eagles began to chisel away at the Mountaineers lead, cutting the margin to as low as 15 points (45-30).

NCCU’s defense held the Mountaineers’ offensive campaign in check during the second half. The Lady Eagles lowered West Virginia’s percentage in every category: 50 percent to 45 percent from the field, 27 percent to 14 percent from three-point range and 62 percent to 36 percent from the charity stripe.

As a team, NCCU grabbed 33 rebounds, forced 22 turnovers and stole eight Mountaineer possessions.

The West Virginia offense was led by four student-athletes scoring in double-figures. Liz Repella topped the Mountaineers with 17 points, while Korinne Campbell and Madina Ali scored 11 apiece and Asya Bussie earned 10 points. Ali governed the rebounding game with 11 boards.

As a team, the Mountaineers grabbed 43 rebounds, forced 27 maroon and grey turnovers and stole 17 NCCU possessions.

The Lady Eagles end their three-game home stand on Dec. 29, as they host the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.