Second-half breakdown for NCCU in loss to Winthrop
ROCK HILL, S.C. – After leading by as many as nine points during first half action, the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball team was outscored 40-20 during the second twenty minutes leading to the Lady Eagles (5-8) 68-46 loss to the Winthrop Eagles (10-4) during NCCU’s final non-conference contest on Tuesday, Jan. 7 in Rock Hill, S.C.
Red shirt senior transfer Jessica Freeman earned her 1,000th collegiate career point (UNCW 2009-13, NCCU 2013-14) after a made free throw at the 9:36 mark. Freeman finished the contest with ten points, shooting 3-for-14 from the field, 2-for-7 from behind the arc and 2-for-2 from the free throw line, pushing the 5-5 shooting guard to 1,004 career points.
Junior Racquel Davis led the Lady Eagles with 12 points and eight boards while fellow junior Khyra Conerly contributed 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
The host Eagles were led by Erica Williams 16 points and 10 boards while three additional Eagles scored in double-figures for Winthrop.
As a team, NCCU shot 18-for-62 from the field (29.0%), 3-for-12 from the three-point line (25.0%) and 7-for-10 from the charity stripe (70.0%) while also pulling down 45 boards, dishing five assists, collecting 12 steals and four team blocks.
NCCU begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference action on Saturday, Feb. 11 as the Lady Eagles travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to take on the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers at 4 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Lady Hornets Hold Off NJIT in Overtime to Snap Skid
DOVER, Del. – In a battle from start to finish, the Delaware State women’s basketball team (4-9, 0-2 MEAC) erased a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat the visiting NJIT Highlanders (4-15) in overtime, 75-72, to snap a season-long six-game losing streak.
For DSU, it was its first victory since defeating George Mason at home in overtime on Dec. 4, while NJIT dropped its third straight to move to 1-9 on the road this season.
Three DSU players scored in double figures, led by Raven Bankston’s 26 points (8-of-17), with 19 coming in the second half. Bankston also went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, to go along two assists, two rebounds and two steals. From the free throw, the Detroit, Mich. native, set career-highs in free throws made (8) and attempted (12).
Tierra Hawkins poured in 23 points (9-of-19), grabbed three rebounds and a game-high two blocks, while Deanna Harmon finished with 11 points (5-of-13) and a game-high four steals. Off the bench, forward Tylinn Carter turned in a solid all-around performance with a team-high nine rebounds, a game-high four steals, four points (2-of-4), one assist and one block.
The Lady Hornets shot 45 percent (29-of-64) and forced 24 turnovers, despite being out-rebounded, 41-35.
Shakia Robinson finished a team-high 18 points (9-of-13) and 13 rebounds to pace the Highlanders, while Martina Matejcikova added 12 points (5-of-11), three rebounds, four assists and a team-high three steals. Kim Tullis (3-of-4) and Alyssa Albanese (4-of-9) both finished with 11 points, while Albanese dished out seven assists.
NJIT finished the game shooting 48 percent (28-of-59) from the floor, including 6-for-12 (.500) from long distance.
Coming up, the Lady Hornets will continue their three-game homestand this Saturday (2 p.m.) against the Hampton Pirates.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com