North Carolina Central University

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

     DURHAM, NC - After leading by as much as 13 in the second half, the North Carolina Central University Eagles held off a resilient Virginia Union Lady Panthers squad 63-56, behind a career-high 27 points from sophomore forward LaQuanda Williams on Thursday inside McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium. The win was the ninth straight for NCCU, who has also won 13 of its last 14 contests, including seven straight at home and nine in a row in CIAA play. 
     NCCU (16-5, 11-3) was paced by Williams, who scored 14 of her 27 points in the second half and added six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Williams shot 10-of-13 from the field, including a personal 8-0 run early in the second half, to give NCCU its biggest lead of the game (51-38). Senior forward Cassie King was the only other Lady Eagle in double figures, scoring 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, while pulling down six rebounds and blocking two shots. King has registered double-figure scoring outings in 19 of head coach Joli Robinson's squad's 21 games this season. Also, freshman forward Jori Nwachukwu contributed 10 rebounds, two steals and two assists. 
    VUU (7-13, 4-11) was topped by junior forward Katchona Johnson who scored 10 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field and junior guard Ashley Hill who came off the bench to score 14 points and pulled down six caroms.