The Game

The Delaware State women's basketball team (4-11, 0-4 MEAC) will aim for its first MEAC win of the season Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) on the road against the North Carolina Central Eagles (6-8, 1-1 MEAC).  

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The Opponent

» North Carolina Central Eagles (6-8, 1-1 MEAC)

The Eagles are coming off a four-game road swing. During this stretch, NCCU went 1-3 with its lone victory occurring at Florida A&M, 67-52.

Using the same starting five this season, the Eagles' offensive charge is spearheaded by forward/center Racquel Davis (13.7 ppg) and guard Jessica Freeman (13.5 ppg), while Davis is the squad's leading rebounder (9.0 rpg) and blocks (11).  Freeman, meanwhile, is the team's leader in steals (43) and assists (32).  Additionally, guard Khyra Conerly averages 9.9 points per game on the year, to go along with being second on the team in assists (30) and steals (29). 

» The Head Coach: Vanessa Taylor is in her second year with NCCU after spending 11 seasons at Johnson C. Smith. So far in 2013-14, the Eagles have tripled their win total from last year after finishing 2-28 overall with both wins coming in conference action.

» The Series: Delaware State is 3-0 all-time against the Eagles. In their last meeting, the Lady Hornets came away with a 58-49 victory at home last season. 

A Win Would Mean…

» DSU's second road victory of the season, its first in conference play.

» The Lady Hornets' first MEAC win since beating Norfolk State last season at home.

» Delaware State would avoid its first 0-5 start in MEAC play for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Last Time Out…

DSU fell 57-48 to Norfolk State, despite erasing an 11-point halftime deficit this past Monday to complete a three-game homestand. 

When the final buzzer sounded, DSU's Tierra Hawkins finished with a team-high 17 points (8-of-12) and 11 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season, to go along with two steals and two blocks before fouling out.  Guard N'Kayah Kersey, on the other hand, set career-highs in points (16), field goals made (6), three-pointers made (4) and rebounds (6) while playing a career-high 39 minutes.

Collectively, the Hornets shot 32 percent (20-of-63) and hoisted a season-high 27 attempts from long distance while hitting just four.  From the line, DSU totaled season-lows in makes (4) and attempts (6).  

Bankston Records Fourth MEAC Rookie of the Week Honor

On Monday, guard Raven Bankston was named MEAC Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season after averaging 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists in games against NJIT and Hampton last week. With this feat, she becomes first player in team history to garner the award four times in a season.

Road Woes

In eight road games this season, DSU is 1-7 and being outscored, 83-61.  Offensively, the Lady Hornets are shooting 38 percent from field, including 20 percent from beyond the arc, while also dishing out 90 assists, compared to 141 by their oppositions.  Additionally, opposing squads are shooting 45 percent, along with owning the rebounding advantage (349-285).  Dating back to last season, the Lady Hornets have dropped 11 out of their last 12 road games.  

Rough Stretch

After starting 3-3, DSU has dropped eight out of its last nine games.  During this stretch, the Lady Hornets have been outscored, 77-55, while shooting 32 percent from the floor and 18 percent from beyond the arc.  Defensively, teams are shooting 44 percent from the field, including 36 percent from long distance. Delaware State has also struggled to take care of the ball by totaling 177 turnovers, compared to 81 assists. 

Can't Shake the Injury Bug

Throughout the season, the Lady Hornets have been hit hard on the injury front. Before playing a game, center Janay Carter and guard Aaliyah Davis both suffered season-ending knee injuries, whereas guard Raine Bankston also went down with a season-ending knee injury after starting five games.   

Later in the year, leading scorer and rebounder Tierra Hawkins missed two games after suffering a shoulder injury in the first half against Coppin State. 

In the last three games, guard Diamond Williams has been sidelined (ankle), leaving the Lady Hornets with nine active players.  Additionally, freshman Raven Bankston (shoulder) did not start against Norfolk State and played 26 minutes.

Milestone Watch

Junior Tierra Hawkins needs 15 points (1,243) to pass Mitzi Copes (1984-88) to place eighth on DSU's all-time scoring list and three blocks (51) to pass RoShunda Fobbs (1997-99) on the program's all-time blocks list to become 10th.  

At this Point Last Season…

The Lady Hornets were 4-11 and 1-1 MEAC action, coming off a 76-34 win at home Wesley.

Coming Up Next…

DSU will stay in North Carolina to face the North Carolina A&T Aggies on Monday (6 p.m.).