Jan. 11, 2006
Final Stats
ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Shaw University Lady Bears edged the Elizabeth City State University Lady Vikings 85-81 Tuesday night at the R.L. Vaughan Center in Elizabeth City, NC.
The last time the two teams met was in the 2005 CIAA Championship where the Lady Bears ran away with an 88-49 victory en route to their third straight conference crown.
This time however was not the case as the two teams battled from start to finish. After taking a 53-46 lead into the intermission, the Lady Bears built their largest lead of the night of 12 points after a Carletta Harrell three-pointer with 15:53 remaining in the game. The Lady Vikings would fight back continuing, chiseling into the lead over the waning minutes. After a three-pointer by Shaneetha Holley with 2:46 to go, the game was within reach as the Lady Bears held a three point edge. Shaw would have an opportunity to close the game out from the charity strip on two different occasions but they failed to convert leaving the window open for the home team. However ECSU could not capitalize as costly turnovers over the final 1:24 doomed the chance for the Lady Vikings to force overtime.
Although it was a hard fought battle the Lady Vikings might have been their own worst enemy, most notably from the free throw line where they missed 15 shots (16 of 31). Besides that the two teams were virtually even in points in the paint (Shaw 36, ECSU-32), off turnovers (Shaw 21, ECSU 20) and second chance (Shaw 19, ECSU 18).
For Shaw (7-4, CIAA 1-0), Nastassia Boucicault led the way 20 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Harrell added a game high 21 points while Jenna Bradford and Leslee Anderson contributed 13 and 11 points respectively.
ECSU was paced by Celeste Trahan with 19 point and 17 rebounds. Deanna Price, whose minutes were shortened due to her fifth foul being whistled with 5:47 to go, had a solid outing with 14 points, 6 assists and 2 blocks. Tanika Hudgins contributed 18 points off the bench for the Lady Vikings.
The Lady Vikings (3-6, CIAA 1-1) will travel to face the Lady Trojans of Virginia State University on Thursday, January 12, 2006. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm. For more information on ECSU Athletics, log onto www.ecsuvikings.com.
