Davis and Freeman lead NCCU past West Carolina

DURHAM, N.C. – Despite trailing for over ninety percent of the contest, redshirt senior Jessica Freeman and junior Racquel Davis both collected season-high scoring performances as the Lady Eagles (5-4) snapped their two-game losing streak, defeating the Western Carolina Catamounts (6-4) for the first time in school history, 73-69 on Thursday, Dec. 19, inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Freeman lead all-scorers with 26 points, shooting 10-for-16 from the field, 3-for-6 from behind the arc and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe while also tying her season-high in steals with five. In addition, Davis earned her fourth double-double on the season where she earned a season-best 21 points and pulled down a game-best 11 boards to push the series with WCU to 1-3.

Rena Wakama and Justin Taylor lead the way for WCU scoring 21 and 17 points respectively, shooting a combined 13-for-26 from the field and 8-for-18 from three-point land.

As a team, NCCU shot 23-for-50 from the field (46.0%), 23-for-33 from the charity stripe (69.7%) and 4-for-8 from behind the arc (44.4%), while also collecting 35 boards, 11 assists, eight steals and one block.

The Lady Eagles improve to 5-4 on the season heading into a ten-day break for the holidays.

NCCU travels to Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 29 where the Lady Eagles will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in a noon tip off. 

For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com

Davis and Kalu pace Savannah State to victory

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Freshman Tiyonda Davis recorded her second career double-double Thursday night, and senior Ezinne Kalu led Savannah State in points, as the Lady Tigers downed Charleston Southern 72-63 at the Buc Dome in Charleston, South Carolina.

Davis put up 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Kalu scored 19 points and had 6 steals in the win. It was the second time the Lady Tigers beat the Lady Bucs' this year and the third straight game in which SSU has scored more than 70 points. SSU improves to 5-5 overall, while CSU falls to 3-6.

The Lady Tigers shot 41.8 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Lady Bucs 42-34. CSU was led by Jarvis Tatum who led the field with 25 points. Erin Bratcher added 12 and Alyssa Mann scored 11, as the Lady Bucs shot 40.8 percent from the floor.

SSU has dominated in the paint in their last two games. In a 79-55 win over Longwood last Sunday, the Lady Tigers scored 58 points in the paint. Against the Lady Bucs' on Thursday, SSU scored 30 of their points in the paint.

SSU is winding up a season-long 10-game road stretch with the final two games. They face Alabama State on December 22, and then South Carolina on December 28, before returning to Tiger Arena on December 29 for a match with Troy University.

For complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com