With 2009 safely behind us all, two of the Triangle’s Division I women’s basketball teams open the 2010 portion of their schedule against teams from the MEAC today.
No. 7 UNC (11-1) will entertain Winston-Salem State (2-9) in the third game at well-refurbished Carmichael Auditorium, while at the same time N.C. Central (2-10) – which has, yes, won two of its last three games – hosts historic archrival North Carolina A&T (5-6).
Winston-Salem State, which has made the rare move of giving up on its transition to NCAA Division I, will be returning to Division II next season.
NCCU has been admitted to the MEAC and will likely play a full conference schedule in basketball next season except for the tournament. A&T is the defending conference champion, so the Eagles will be looking for a bit of an upset.
Saturday’s games
No. 7 UNC vs. Winston-Salem State
[Saturday, 2 p.m., Carmichael Auditorium]
UNC leads series 1-0.
Records: WSSU 2-9, UNC 11-1.
Audio: WCHL-AM 1360; TarHeelBlue.com;WSSURams.com.
Coaches’ records – WSSU: Dee Stokes 71-130, 19-78 at WSSU; UNC: Sylvia Hatchell: 828-283, 552-203 at UNC.
Leading scorers – WSSU: Rene Rector 12.3; UNC: Italee Lucas 16.7.
Leading rebounders – WSSU: Vontisha Woods 7.5; UNC: Laura Broomfield 7.9.
Assist leaders – WSSU: Porsche Harrell 4.2; UNC: Cetera DeGraffenreid 5.9.
N.C. Central vs. North Carolina A&T
[Saturday, 2 p.m., McDougald-McLendon Gym]
A&T leads series 19-7.
Records: A&T 5-6; NCCU 2-10.
Audio: WRJD-AM 1410, NCCUEaglePride.com; NCATAggies.com.
Coaches’ records – A&T: Patricia Cage-Bibbs 453-259, 82-53 at A&T; NCCU: Joli Robinson 199-173.
Leading scorers – A&T: Ta’Wuana Cook 15.4; NCCU: Joanna Miller 18.2.
Leading rebounders – A&T: Lamona Smalley 7.0; NCCU: Latoya Bennett 5.5.
Assist leaders – A&T: Amber Calvin 2.4; NCCU: Joanna Miller 2.7.