NCCU Makes Astounding Comeback in Victory over UNC Asheville

DURHAM, North Carolina -- The North Carolina Central University women's basketball team created a 19-0 comeback run in the final 3:27 to beat out the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, 55-52 Friday, Nov. 28 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

"I'm excited for the young women," said head coach Vanessa Taylor. "To see the tenacity and the toughness and the fight we have to play with, and for it to materialize into a win for us is really exciting."

Redshirt senior Racquel Davis (Brooklyn, New York) accumulated 18 points, 17 rebounds, and five steals during Friday's contest.

Redshirt senior Khyra Conerly (Oakland, California) added 15 points and three steals.

With a low-scoring first half of 29-20, NCCU was down by as much as 16 points, and was only shooting 22.7% from the field. The Lady Eagles also allowed 20 Bulldog points off turnovers.

The Lady Eagles sparked a fire with 3:27 remaining in the game, taking the Bulldogs on a 19-0 run led by Davis, who contributed 11 of her 18 points.

During the NCCU comeback, freshman Imani Atkinson (Greensboro, North Carolina) collected three steals and the Eagles managed to score 20 points off turnovers in the second half.

NCCU was trimming the Bulldogs' lead point-by-point, and a free-throw shot by Davis knotted the score at 52 with 25 seconds remaining on the clock.

"We were clutch with our free-throw shooting at the end of the game," said Taylor, as the Lady Eagles shot 71% from the free-throw line.

A steal from Davis and a Bulldogs' foul put Davis back at the free-throw line for two shots; both were good and the Lady Eagles took a three-point lead.

UNCA sophomore Ja'Da Brayboy attempted a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds, but was unsuccessful as NCCU took the victory against the Bulldogs, 55-52.

The Lady Eagles will be on a six-game road trip, starting with No. 1/2 University of South Carolina Monday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., in Columbia, South Carolina.

BOX SCORE

Written By Andrea Wheeler, Assistant Sports Information Director
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION