DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Lady Wildcats (5-8, 0-1 MEAC) return to
Richard V. Moore Gymnasium for the first time in the New Year, looking to snap
a three-game losing skid with the North Carolina A&T Aggies (9-5, 1-0 MEAC) coming to
town.
These two teams have a lot in common; both play at a
methodical pace with lower scores, both play tough defense in holding opponent
scoring down, but the difference to this point in the season has been how well
each protect the ball. The Aggies surrender just 17.7 turnovers per contest, as
compared with B-CU's 20.5.
About the North Carolina A&T Aggies
The Aggies thrive on the play of preseason All-MEAC
teamers senior JaQuayla Berry and redshirt junior Amber Calvin. With NCAT
averaging just 58.9 points per game, Berry and Calvin's respective 11.9 and
10.2 PPG make a notable impact.
Berry leads the team in scoring, also topping the Aggies
on the glass with 6.3 RPG, in addition to leading in steals (2.1 SPG), as the
player with the most court time (31.1 MPG). Calvin is second on the squad in
scoring, topping the team in threes on the most perimeter-heavy shooting team
the Lady Wildcats have faced this season. Hitting 47.9 percent of from the arc,
Calvin logs 1.6 of A&T's 4.5 threes per game. She also adds 1.7 steals to
the mix. Calvin also leads the team at the line, hitting 90.9 from the stripe.
Another factor in A&T's success has been the play of
Tracy King, who adds 8.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 1.6 SPG. King has also proven capable
from long range, with 11 threes on the year. Sophomore point guard Adriana
Nazario leads the Aggies in ball distribution, adding 2.6 assists per contest.
The Aggies hold opponents to just 56.6 points per game,
ranking 69th in the nation in scoring defense, aided by their ability to limit
opponents' long range shooting to just 27.9 percent.
About the Lady Wildcats
Though in mid-December it appeared that the time of
early deficits for B-CU had passed, the obstacle has resurfaced over the past
three games, each leading to a loss. Once the Lady Wildcats, who outscore
opponents consistently in the second half, gain their footing, they keep pace
of mount a rally. However, trailing early has proven too much to overcome of
late.
The
key to earning a win and snapping the streak is getting on the board early and
often, working both sides of B-CU's offense. Guard Chastity René Taylor has
proven tough on the outside, leading the team with 14.5 PPG, including team-bests
of 33 percent from long range and 88 percent from the free throw line. Getting
Taylor going in the first half not only helps the all-around scoring effort,
but opens up the B-CU offense in the lane. That inside game focuses on the
efforts of junior center Amanda Hairston, who averages 11.2 points and 7.5
rebounds per outing, and has logged a double-double in each of the last two
games. Hairston puts in work on both ends, shooting a nationally 22nd ranked
55.1 percent from the field, while also collecting 1.5 blocks per game.
Getting
a win against the Aggies will need a total team effort. Both Terrenisha Hollis
(7.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG) and Jasmine Evans (5.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG) will need to provide
their input to spread the floor. As well as NCAT protects the ball, a big
defensive game for team steals-leader Hollis (2.1 SPG) could provide B-CU the
opportunity to earn some points off turnovers.
During
the Game
Live Stats: As with all home games, B-CU Athletics will provide live stats
coverage of Saturday's game, Click Here for the direct link.
Live Video: In addition
to the audiocast, this will be the first game of the season with live streaming
video at home on the CatEye Network for a subscription fee. To watch the game
live, Click Here.
Game Day
Hashtags
For all of our followers on Twitter, the Hatter Classic official game day
hashtags include the following...
#HailWildcats
#BeatNCAT
For all the
latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter
feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.
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