Payne Scores 20 in Eagles Victory

BALTIMORE - Senior Shawntae Payne scored a game-high 20 points leading four players in double figures and Coppin State used a strong second-half shooting performance to defeat Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday in the Physical Education Complex.

Payne scored a season-high 20 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the floor, while senior Leola Spotwood added 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Eagles.

Coppin State (3-2) held a slim 29-26 lead at halftime, but shot 55.6 percent from the floor in the second period to outscore the Lions 51-35. The Eagles also took advantage of 34 Lincoln turnovers by scoring 33 points off of those turnovers.

Lincoln (0-4) was led by Denyse Moore who scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

For the complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com

NCCU Falls To Lady Blue Hose During Home Opener

DURHAM, N.C. -Making her first collegiate career start, rookie Amber Neely led North Carolina Central scoring a team-high of 10 points during the Lady Eagles home opening loss, 49-37, to the Lady Blue Hose from Presbyterian in McDougald-MeLendon Gymnasium, in Durham, N.C.

Neely not only led NCCU offensively, but also led the Lady Eagles on the boards colleting seven rebounds, three shy of the teams first double-double, while forcing two Lady Hose turnovers with two steals.

In addition to Neely's performance, fellow freshmen Aja Hoyle finished with a total of eight points, four rebounds, and one assist, while redshirt-senior Chasidy Williams amassed seven points, pulled down six boards, dished out three assists and captured four steals.

NCCU finished 24.5 percent from the field on 13-of-53 shooting, 20 percent from behind the arc, and 64.3 percent from the free-throw line, 9-of-14, while collecting a total of 34 rebounds, eight assists and 10 steals as a team.

The Lady Blue Hose were led by senior Dria David who scored a game-high of 17 points, dished out four assists, and forced two NCCU turnovers with two steals.

PC as a team shot 52.4 percent from the field on 22-of-42 shooting, 40 percent from behind the arc, and 75 percent from the free-throw line, 3-of-4, while collecting a total of 27 rebounds, 15 assists, six steals and committing 19 turnovers.

NCCU falls 0-5 on the season after the loss, while the Lady Blue Hose advance to .500, 3-3.

For the complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com

East Carolina Holds Off NSU, 54-46

GREENVILLE, N.C. -   Britny Edwards had 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead East Carolina over Norfolk State, 56-44, on Saturday afternoon at the ECU Pirate Invitational at Minges Coliseum.

The Pirates improved to 4-1 while the Spartans dropped to 1-3.

NSU had three players in double-figures as Aivah Parham led the way with 12 points, followed by Kashay Barnes' 11, and Quineshia Leonard's 10.

For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com

LADY PIRATES FALL AGAINST FLORIDA GULF COAST

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS- Hampton fell in its finale of the 2012 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam on Saturday, as Florida Gulf Coast came away with a 70-59 win.

The Lady Pirates (4-3) have dropped their last three games.

Junior guard Nicole Hamilton led the Lady Pirates with 17 points, going 6-for-14 from the floor. Senior guard Olivia Allen came off the bench to add 13 points, hitting three 3-pointers.

Senior forward Keiara Avant and freshman guard Ryan Jordan each had a team-high six rebounds.

FGCU shot 46.6 percent (27-for-58) from the floor and hit six of 18 3-pointers. The Eagles also held a 40-34 edge on the glass and only turned the ball over 16 times against the Lady Pirates.

For the complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com