CCU Defeats #4 Seed Manhattan Christian College in Overtime Thriller

Tiarra Hopson scored 16 points including the shot that sent the

game to overtime. 

GRAYSON, KY - The CCU Golden Eagles took on Central Region Champion and #4 seed Manhattan Christian College on Friday night and came away with a thrilling 60-55 overtime victory.  CCU started the game strong with an 8-2 lead.  The Eagles used transition baskets to get things going early.  Manhattan then got the hot hand with strong mid range shooting and was able to tie the game late in the first half.  The Eagles then used a 6-0 run to end the half and go into the locker room with a 30-24 lead.

The second half continued to be a close game as the lead changed hands several times.  CCU then encountered a combination of cold shooting and foul trouble late in the half and Manhattan was able to make a run to take a four point lead with just minutes remaining.  The Eagle defense the stepped up to make some big stops down the stretch.  With a minute remaining in the game and CCU trailing 47-49 the Eagles worked the ball to Tiarra Hopson who connected on a fifteen foot jumper to tie the game.  CCU then picked up another defensive stop but was unable to convert at the buzzer on a potential game winning shot.

In overtime, the Eagles would once again face adversity as Da Da Willis fouled out early in the extra session.  CCU remained focused and kept their composure in the closing minutes of overtime.  The Eagles came up big on the offensive glass down the stretch and took a three point lead with the score 58-55 with a minute remaining.  The CCU defense once again came up with a big stop and secured the defensive rebound.  Gladys Dudley hit two clutch free throws with 25 seconds remaining to push the lead to 60-55.  Manhattan worked the ball down the floor and shot a three pointer but it was off the mark.  CCU gathered the rebound to secure the victory.

"The fans and coaches here are starting to refer to us as the cardiac kids because of the exciting games that we have played in this week," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "These ladies have been playing with so much heart and determination all week long.  The bottom line is that they simply refuse to quit when faced with adversity.  We talked today about completing and finishing what we started this season and today is a big step towards our goal of finishing the season strong."

Tiarra Hopson led all scorers with 16 points.  Da Da Willis tallied 13 points and 5 steals.  Gladys Dudley scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.  Sabrina Wynn was a force inside as she had 10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 blocked shots.  Eunika Hisle owned the glass with a game high 15 rebounds while also adding 5 points and a blocked shot.  Adrian Rucker added 2 points and 5 rebounds.  Deshaunna Gee provided a spark off the bench with 2 points and 2 rebounds.

CCU is back in action on Saturday at 4:00pm as they take on Maranatha in the 5th place game of the National Tournament.

March 12th, 2009

Eagles Come Up Short Against KCU in Tightly Contested Elite 8 Battle

Sabrina Wynn had 17 points and 7 rebounds against KCU on Thursday night.

GRAYSON, KY - The Golden Eagles took on #1 seed and defending NCCAA Champion Kentucky Christian University on Thursday night in a memorable NCCAA elite 8 contest.  The Eagles had advanced to the second round after coming back from a 16 point deficit to win on Tuesday night.  KCU came into the game after a first round bye after receiving the #1 seed.

The first half was a back and forth battle as the lead changed hands several times.  The Eagles took care of the basketball as they only committed two turnovers in the entire first half.  The CCU offense was clicking as the Eagles shot 43% from the field.  After trailing 26-29 with just over a minute left in the first half, the Eagles rallied with a 4-0 run to end an exciting opening frame.  CCU went into the locker room with a 30-29 lead over the Knights.

The second half proved to be more of the same as both teams played extremely hard.  As the game progressed the depth of the KCU bench proved to be a huge advantage as their backups tallied 19 points in the contest.  The Knights gained the momentum with four minutes remaining in the game as they took a 6 point lead.  A three point basket by Tara Weddle then pushed the lead to 9 points.  The Eagles fought hard to the buzzer but came up short as KCU went on to win 59-47 in a great game.

"We left it all on the floor tonight," said head Coach Jamey Batten.  "We made a great run and for 36 minutes we gave the National Champs all they could handle.  KCU hit some big shots at key points and their ten man rotation did a great job of wearing us down.  I couldn't be more proud of my team right now for the effort they showed tonight.  We have accomplished so much this year that it is easy to forget that we are a first year program with an all freshmen roster."

CCU was led by Sabrina Wynn who scored 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson scored 11 points on 5 of 10 shooting.  Gladys Dudley chipped in 7 points.  Eunika Hisle scored 5 points and had 9 rebounds.  Da Da Willis 5 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals.  Adrian Rucker rounded out scoring with 2 points and 5 rebounds.

The Eagles are back in action on Friday as they take on Manhattan Christian College at 4:00pm.

March 11th, 2009

Eagles Win Comeback Thriller Over Baptist Bible Missouri 63-62 in Round One

Gladys Dudley had 18 points and 9 rebounds on Tuesday night.

GRAYSON, KY - The CCU women's basketball team overcame adversity on Tuesday night in a thrilling 63-62 come from behind victory over Baptist Bible College Missouri in Round 1 of the NCCAA National Tournament.  The Eagles came out to a slow start as BBC went up 14-2 to start the game.  The Eagles battled back after a timeout and narrowed the lead to as few as six points in the first half.  The Patriots of BBC hit a three pointer before the end of the half to stretch the lead to nine with the score 34-25 in favor of BBC going into the locker room.

In the second half the Patriots wouild once again take control early.  The Patriots would then go on a 6-0 run and build their lead to as many as 16 points in the 2nd half.  The Eagles refused to quit and used defensive pressure and hustle plays to fight their way back into the game.  Possession by possession the Eagles mounted a steady comeback to narrow the lead.  A Gladys Dudley layup gave CCU their first lead of the game in the closing minutes.  CCU made two big stands on defense in the final minute and secured the defensive rebounds they needed to finish the game and close the door on BBC as the Eagles came away victorious 63-62.

"Our girls refused to quit today and I am so proud of them," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "It would have been easy to make excuses and just quit at certain points but we hung in their and clawed our way back to get this victory.  We have been in close games throughout the year and those battles paid big dividends today as far has having experience to draw from.  To come back from a 16 point deficit and win against a good team is no easy feat.  You have to have heart and character and that is what our team showed today."

The Eagle comeback win was led by Gladys Dudley who scored a team high 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals.  Sabrina Wynn scored 12 points on 6 of 13 shooting while grabbing 8 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.  Adrian Rucker was big inside with 9 points and 6 rebounds off the bench.  Da Da Willis made a big impact with 8 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals.  Eunika Hisle rounded out the scoring with 4 points and 6 rebounds.

The Eagle defense forced 27 BBC turnovers which led to 25 CCU points.  The Eagles grabbed 20 offensive rebounds compared to 11 by the Patriots.  CCU held the Patriots to 36% shooting in the 2nd half as they were 9 of 25 from the field.  The win was the first ever National Tournament victory in school history as the Golden Eagles continue to rewrite the record books.

CCU is back in action on Thursday night as they take on KCU at 8:00pm.

February 25th, 2009

Da Da Willis Named NCCAA Player of the Week

GREENVILLE, SC - The NCCAA National Office has selected freshman CCU guard Da Da Willis as the NCCAA National Player of the Week.  Willis received the honor after averaging 20.0 points, 8.5 steals, and 8.0 assists per game in CCU's final two regular season games.  In a game against Grace(MI) from the Mid West Region, Willis recorded the first ever triple double in CCU women's basketball history as she scored 19 points, had 11 steals, and dished out 10 assists in a 76-60 Eagle victory.  Willis is currently ranked in the top 5 nationally in both steals per game (4.1) and assists per game (5.6).

http://www.thenccaa.org/athlete_week.html

February 20th, 2009

Eagles Wrap Up Regular Season with 76-60 Win at Grace

Da Da Willis had the first triple double in CCU women's basketball history

with 19 points, 11 steals, and 10 assists at Grace on Friday night.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The 8th ranked Golden Eagles headed north to Michigan on Friday for their final regular season game and came away victorious in a convincing 76-60 win.  The Eagles came out cold in the opening minutes and went into the lockeroom tied 36-36 with a hot shooting Grace squad. 

CCU came out determined in the second half and held Grace scoreless for the first 6 minutes of the half.  The Eagles were able to build a comfortable 24 point lead as they went on a big 20-2 run to put the game out of reach.  The Eagle defense would go on to force 33 turnovers while swiping 23 steals.  CCU's offense enjoyed their best outside shooting game of the season as three different CCU players connected from three point range while combining for a shooting percentage of 46% from downtown. 

"We overcame a sluggish start and our defense stepped up big tonight," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "The big run to open the second half was without a doubt the best basketball we have played all season.  We knew coming in that Grace would be confident and ready to play.  They had three big wins in a row recently and have been playing well at home.  Our players stepped up big and played with great unity and patience tonight to get the job done."

The Eagles were led by Da Da Willis who recorded a triple double with 19 points, 11 steals, and 10 assists.  Sabrina Wynn had 14 points and 9 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson scored 12 points on 6 of 13 shooting.  Gladys Dudley scored 10 points and swiped 5 steals.  Melissa Cinnamon scored 9 points in the win.  Eunika Hisle had 7 points, 8 rebounds, and swiped 3 steals.

The Eagles move to 15-8 on the season and will now prepare to face Ohio Christian University in the Mid East Region Semi-Final on Friday, February 27th.  The game will be played at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky with a scheduled start time of 2:00pm.

February 10th, 2009

Eagles Defeat Miami University Middletown on the Road

Eunika Hisle tallied her twelvth double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles travelled to Miami University Middletown on Tuesday night and came away victorious 56-46 to move to 14-7 on the season.  The first half was close as both teams battled back and forth.  CCU used a 6-0 run to build a 19-13 lead with 7 minutes remaining in the first half.  Miami Middletown rallied back with a run of their own at the end of the half to take a 27-26 lead at the intermission.

The second half continued to be a defensive battle as both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket.  The Golden Eagles defensive pressure and a couple of timely baskets helped CCU take a 12 point lead with 4 minutes remaining in the game.  The Eagles went on to close the door on Middletown and win by ten for their 14th win of the season.

"This is a big step in closing out the regular season strong," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "We have two games left before the regular season comes to an end and we want to get our house in order before making a postseason run.  We had some big contributions from many members of the team tonight and I can't say enough about the heart and effort that some of our girls gave tonight."

Gladys Dudley led CCU with 12 points.  Eunika Hisle was big in the middle with 10 points and 15 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson scored 9 points on 4 of 8 shooting.  Melissa Cinnamon overcame a bout with the flu and scored 8 points including two huge three point baskets in the 2nd half.  Sabrina Wynn scored 8 points on 4 of 7 shooting.  Da Da Willis scored 8 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, swiped 6 steals, and dished out 5 assists to round out the Eagles scoring.

The CCU defense held Miami Middletown to 18% shooting in the 2nd half as the Thunderhawks shot 7 of 38 from the field in the 2nd frame.  The Eagle defense forced 22 Miami turnovers and swiped 18 steals in the contest.

The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday night as they take on Ohio Christian University at 5:30pm.

February 6th, 2009

CCU Falls to Clermont in Crosstown Shootout Exhibition

Gladys Dudley scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds on Friday night.

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles (13-7) took on UC-Clermont (20-8) in a midseason crosstown shootout exhibition on Friday night and fell 72-66 in a close contest.  Gladys Dudley started her first contest of the season and tallied 14 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Eagle charge.  The Eagles were without starting guard Melissa Cinnamon who was out of the game with illness.  The first half was back and forth as both teams exchanged leads on multiple occassions.  CCU rallied back from a 6 point deficit late in the half to take a one point halftime lead with the score 33-32.

The Eagles struggled to take care of the ball in the second half as UCC took a ten point advantage with 6 minutes remaining.  CCU committed 18 turnovers in the half as Clermont scored 27 points off of turnovers.  The Eagles rallied back on an 8-0 run to get within 2 points with the score 62-60 but that is as close as it would get.  Clermont converted on two baskets down the stretch to close the door on the Eagle run.

"We played sloppy and somewhat half hearted today," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "We have to take care of the basetball better and value possessions more if we want to beat quality teams.  We cannot be careless with the ball as much as we were tonight and ever expect a good result.  We played well on the offensive end and shot a high percentage but we shot ourselves in the foot by turning the ball over too much."

The Eagles had all five starters reach double figures as Da Da Willis had 15 points and 5 assists, Tiarra Hopson and Gladys Dudley scored 14 each, Sabrina Wynn tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Eunika Hisle scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Rachel Brewer led UCC with a game high 17 points including 5 of 8 shooting from downtown.

The Eagles were scheduled to be back in action on Saturday afternoon to take on St. Louis College of Pharmacy at 1:00pm.  St. Louis has forfeited the game as of this evening due to a lack of available players.  CCU will be back in action on Tuesday, February 10th as they travel to Miami University Middletown for a 5:30pm start.

February 3rd, 2008

CCU Falls to Defending KIAC Champion Berea College

Sabrina Wynn led CCU with 33 points and 14 rebounds on Tuesday night.

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles played defending KIAC champion Berea College on Tuesday night and fell to a flaming hot three point shooting team as Berea came away victorious 95-69.  Berea took a 21-6 advantage to open the game.  CCU rallied back to within 6 points with 2 minutes remaining in the half with the score 34-40 but that is as close as it would get.  Berea used two baskets to close the half and take a ten point advantage with the score 44-34 at the intermission. 

Berea got hot in the second half as they shot 9 of 21 from three point range.  Berea went on to shoot an amazing 16 of 41 from long distance in the contest as they went on to win 95-69.  Candy Walls led the Berea charge with 40 points on 14 of 26 shooting.  She was also 7 of 13 from three point range while pulling down 13 rebounds.

CCU was led by freshman forward Sabrina Wynn who led the Eagles with 33 points on 13 of 25 shooting.  She also pulled down a game high 14 rebounds.

"Berea has won three straight KIAC titles and tonight we got a nice dose of that level of play," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "They really spread you wide on the offensive end and then they live and die by the three.  This is without a doubt the best shooting team we have seen all year.  We did make a nice run in the first half to make the game close but their shooting was just too much for us down the stretch."

The Eagles are back in action on Friday as they take on UC Clermont at 5:30pm.

January 30th, 2009

Eagles Defeat Johnson 72-33 on the Road

KNOXVILLE, TN - The Golden Eagles travelled south to take on JBC on Friday night and came away with a convincing 72-33 win.  CCU went into the locker room with a 38-20 lead and would never look back.  The CCU defense surrendered only 13 points in the second half as they outscored Johnson 34-13 in the final frame.

The Eagle charge was led by Sabrina Wynn whose 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 6 blocks made a big impact on the game.  Gladys Dudley made a big contribution off the bench as she scored 14 points.

The win moves CCU to 12-6 on the season with just a few weeks remaining in the regular season.  The Eagles are currently ranked #7 in the NCCAA National Poll.  CCU is back in action on Tuesday night as they take on KIAC perennial power Berea College at 5:30pm.

January 29th, 2009

CCU Rallies Back Against Asbury But Comes Up Short in 75-68 Loss

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles took on future conference rival Asbury College on Thursday night in what proved to be an exciting game.  CCU came out on a hot streak and built a 6-2 lead in the opening minutes of the game.  Asbury called timeout and quickly rallied back to take 10-6 advantage.  Asbury would then dominate the remainder of the first half as CCU shot a dismal 22% from the field.  The Golden Eagles went into halftime trailing by fifteen points with the score 36-21 in favor of Asbury.

The second half was a different story as CCU made tactical adjustments and attacked the Asbury pressure with a strong transition game.  After trailing by as many as 18 points, CCU clawed and fought their way back one possession at a time.  A pair of CCU free throws with 1:05 remaining pulled CCU within three points with the score 68-71 in favor of Asbury.  Asbury was able to convert on a mid range jumper with the shot clock winding down and 35 seconds on the clock to take a 5 point lead.  CCU was not able to score on their last possession and we forced to foul.  Asbury sank two free throws to seal the deal as they came away with the close win.

"Our team showed a lot of heart and character tonight," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "We really dug ourselves a big hole in the first half against a quality opponent.  The Asbury defense did a great job in the first half of not letting us get into any type of rhythm.  We finally calmed down a little bit and started making some big plays in the second half.  We really need this kind of second half effort for the full 40 minutes if we want to be the best that we can be.  Our team refused to quit and really put up a good fight to get back in this game so I am proud of them for that."

CCU outscored Asbury 47-39 in the second half while shooting 49% from the fiield.  Both teams each committed 21 turnovers while Asbury had a 42-37 rebounding advantage.  CCU dished out 16 assists in the game while Asbury dished out 11.

CCU was led by Sabrina Wynn who had a team high 17 points and 12 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson chipped in 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting.  Da Da Willis tallied 13 points and 6 assists at the point.  Melissa Cinnamon added 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.

The Eagles are back in action on Friday night as they travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on Johnson Bible College at 6:00pm.

January 24th, 2009

CCU Defeats Grace Bible 84-53 to Pick Up Eleventh Win

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles overcame a sluggish first half on Saturday afternoon and came away with a convincing 84-53 win over the Tigers of Grace Bible College.  The Eagles overcame an unimpressive first half effort to come away with solid win.  A three point basket at the end of the first half by freshman phenom Melissa Cinnamon gave the Eagles a 7 point lead heading into the intermission. 

"We made some defensive adjustments at halftime and got our focus back and that made all the difference today," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "We really shut down their inside game in the second half and that got our fast break going.  It was a team effort and we played unselfish basketball and when we do that we are a great basketball team."

The Eagles went on to outscore Grace 48-24 in the second half while shooting a blazing 53% from the field and 100% from the free throw line.  CCU forced the Tigers into 36 turnovers in the contest.  The Eagle defense also swiped 22 steals.  CCU outrebounded Grace 40-25 with 18 of those being offensive rebounds.  Every CCU player scored as the Eagles went on for the 31 point victory.  The Eagles are now 11-5 on the season and 5-1 at home.

Eunika Hisle had a solid performance with 14 points and 8 rebounds.  Sabrina Wynn tallied another double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.  Gladys Dudley provided a spark off the bench with 10 points.  Adrian Rucker scored 9 points and pulled down 9 rebounds.  Da Da Willis and Tiarra Hopson each scored 8 points in the win.  Deshaunna Gee was big off the bench with 6 points on 3 of 6 shooting.  Andi Meister rounded out the scoring with 4 points and a team high 5 steals.

CCU is back in action on Tuesday night as they take on Asbury College at 5:30pm.

January 23rd, 2009

Eagles Outlast Northland Baptist to Move to 10-5 on the Season

Gladys Dudley provided a big spark off the bench on Friday night.  (photo by Arch Cunningham)

CINCINNATI, OH - On Friday night the 7th ranked Golden Eagles took on Northland Baptist from the Midwest Region who came into the game with a 7-5 record.  CCU came out aggressive in the first half and took a 14 point lead in the locker room at halftime.  The Eagles shot 44% in the first half and forced 20 Northland turnovers. 

The second half was ultimately a different story.  CCU used their aggressive full court defense to build a 50-36 lead with just 8 minutes remaining.  That was when things got ugly and Northland made a substantial run to close the gap.  In the final 7 minutes, Northland heated up and went on a 17-8 run to rally back.  In the closing moments of the game, Da Da Willis gave the Eagles a big boost as she went 3 of 4 from the foul line to give CCU a 58-53 advantage with just 7 seconds remaining.  Northland banked in a three pointer at the buzzer to make the final score 58-56 in favor of CCU. 

"It was a tale of two halves tonight," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "We played really well and controlled every facet of the game for the first 32 minutes and then we let it get out of hand down the stretch.  We have to get better at finishing games and playing with composure, especially when we have a lead.  We did just enough down the stretch to pull this one out but we better learn a lesson from this to keep it from happening again.  Northland did a great job of fighting back and they have a great group of girls so we really commend them on the effort they gave tonight." 

CCU was led by Sabrina Wynn who had a game high 19 points and 9 rebounds.  Da Da Willis had 12 points and 5 steals.  Tiarra Hopson tossed in 8 points on 4 of 10 shooting.  Eunika Hisle added 6 points and 7 rebounds while Gladys Dudley chipped in with 5 points and 2 steals.

The Eagles are back in action on Saturday as they take on Grace Bible College at 2:00pm.

January 20th, 2009

Eagles Come Up Short Against Top Ranked Kentucky Christian 48-40

Sabrina Wynn had 12 points and 8 rebounds against KCU on Tuesday night.

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles took on league rival and defending national champion Kentucky Christian University on Tuesday evening in a memorable homecoming matchup.  The game was a defensive battle from the tip as both teams played very aggressive and physical defense.  After ten minutes of play, KCU led by a score of 10-6.  CCU would battle back to tie the score at 16-16 with a steal by Da Da Willis that resulted in a Tiarra Hopson layup.  The Knights would go on to take a three point lead going into halftime as they led 19-16 at the intermission.

The second half proved to be more of the same as both teams went back and forth with defensive stops.  KCU was able to stay slightly ahead heading into the final minutes.  With less than two minutes remaining, the Eagles used a foul and the basket by Eunika Hisle to get within four points with the score 44-40 in favor of KCU.  CCU was unable to convert on their last two opportunities and was forced to foul.  The Knights went 4 for 4 from the free throw line to put the game away.

The Eagle defense did a sensational job holding the Knights to 32% shooting while also forcing 22 KCU turnovers.  CCU gave up 47 fewer points than in their first game back in November when KCU scored 95 points.

"I couldn't be more proud of the defensive effort we had on the floor tonight," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "This game speaks volumes as far as how we have grown and improved since November, especially defensively.  If we can start to get things going offensively and get more shots to drop I think we can really make a nice run down the stretch."

Sabrina Wynn led CCU with 12 points and 8 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson tallied 11 points and 6 rebounds.  Eunika Hisle was big on the boards with 11 rebounds.

The Eagles are back in action on Friday night as they take on Northland Baptist at 7:00pm.

January 17th, 2009

CCU Defeats Wright State Lake 65-39 to Remain Undefeated at Home

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles of CCU took on the Lakers of Wright State University Lake Campus on Friday night and came away with a 65-39 victory.  The win pushes the Eagles undefeated home record to 4-0 this season.  The Eagles came out on fire to take a 10-2 lead early in the first half.  The Lakers would rally back and stay close in the first half as CCU had trouble finishing at the rim.

CCU came out in the second half and went on a 6-0 run to get things started.  The Eagle defense locked down and held Wright State to just 14 second half points.  Despite an off shooting night the Eagles were able build a comfortable lead and put the game away in the second half.  CCU continued to improve their free throw shooting as the Eagles went 7/8 from the charity stripe in the second half.  Every player would score for the Eagles as CCU went on to win 65-39.  The Eagles have now won six of their last seven games with their only loss in that stretch being to Asbury College on the road.

"We overcame a sluggish first half and were able to put this one away," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "It was one of those nights where it seemed like there was a lid on the rim and we may have been looking ahead to our next game a little too much.  We got our focus back in the second half and we kept attacking.  Our girls kept playing hard and overcame shooting frustrations and were able to put together a couple of runs to build a nice lead.  Good teams overcome off nights and still find a way to win and that is what we did tonight."

Eunika Hisle led all scorers with a game high 18 points and 17 rebounds. Tiarra Hopson added 9 points for the Eagles while Sabrina Wynn scored 7 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.  Da Da Willis had 7 assists, 7 steals, 5 rebounds, and 5 points for CCU.  Gladys Dudley had a big contribution off the bench with 6 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals.

The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday night as they take on Kentucky Christian University at 6:00pm.

January 12th, 2009

Eagles Complete Season Sweep With 80-66 Win Over Clark State

SPRINGFIELD, OH - The Golden Eagles headed north on Tuesday and came away with a solid 80-66 victory over Clark Sate.  CCU got off to an early start by opening the game on a 20-6 run and would never look back.  A three point basket by Alexis Scott brought Clark State to within eight points with three minutes remaning in the first half.  CCU responded by going on a 8-0 run to end the half and went into the locker room with the score 40-24 in favor of the Golden Eagles.

The second half was more of the same as CCU got big contributions from the bench.  Deshaunna Gee, Gladys Dudley, and Adrian Rucker combined for 25 points and 10 steals to give CCU a big boost.  A layup by Tiarra Hopson gave CCU a 26 point lead with ten minutes remaining in the second half, their largest lead of the game.  The Golden Eagles would go on to win 80-66 to sweep the season series against Clark State.

"We took care of business today and we did it as a team," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "Our starters came out strong from the tip and gave us the lead early.  When we had some foul trouble to deal with our bench came in and made some really big plays to keep us in front.  When we play together and engage our opponent for the full 40 minutes we are one tough basketball team."

Da Da Wills led the Eagles with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and a school record 16 assists.  Tiarra Hopson scored 15 points and had 6 rebounds.  Sabrina Wynn had 14 points and 8 rebounds.   Adrian Rucker also tallied 14 points and 8 rebounds off the bench for CCU.  Eunika Hisle played big inside with 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Gladys Dudley provided a big spark off of the bench with 7 points and 7 steals.  Deshaunna Gee rounded out the scoring with 4 points on 2 of 3 shooting.

The Eagles are back in action on Friday night as they take on Wright State University - Lake Campus at 7:00pm.

January 10th, 2009

CCU Comeback Bid Comes Up Short Against Asbury College

Eunika Hisle scored a game high 16 points on Saturday against Asbury College.

WILMORE, KY - The Eagles headed south to face their first KIAC opponent this season as they took on Asbury College.  The matchup was a preview of what is to come next year as CCU and Asbury will be conference rivals next season when CCU joins the KIAC.  Asbury jumped out to an early lead in the first half by working the ball inside and connecting on 5 of 10 from three point range.  CCU fought hard to keep the game close in the early going, but struggled from the field and went into the locker room trailing 32-21.

CCU used tenacious defense in the second half to rally back and make it a tightly contested game.  The Golden Eagle defense forced Asbury into 19 turnovers in the second half to trim the lead.  A pair of free throws by Eunika Hisle tied the game with just over seven minutes remaining with the score even at 48-48.  With time winding down Asbury was able to take a four point advantage late in the game.  After CCU was unable to score on the offensive end they were forced to foul.  Asbury converted at the free throw line down the stretch to close the door on the CCU comeback bid.  Asbury came away victorious with the final score 66-57.

"We showed a lot of heart by battling back today," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "Asbury is a good team that makes you play very physical full court basketball and they really like to attack defensively.  After we settled down we really did a better job of dealing with their pressure and attacking the rim.  We were able to get to the foul line 34 times and our defense made some big plays in the second half to tie the game.  Even though we came up short, I am really proud of our team for fighting back and clawing their way back into this game."

Eunika Hisle led all scorers with 16 points,10 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 blocked shot.  Sabrina Wynn added 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Da Da Willis tallied 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists at the point guard position.

CCU is back in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Springfield, Ohio to take on Clark State at 7:00pm.

December 13th, 2008

CCU Rallies in Final Minutes to Defeat Ohio University Lancaster

Da Da Willis had 14 points and 11 rebounds as CCU defeated OU-Lancaster

CINCINNATI, OH - The Eagles (7-3) overcame a poor shooting performance and rallied together in the second half to come away with a hard fought 61-53 victory over the Cougars of Ohio University Lancaster on Saturday afternoon.  The visiting Cougars jumped out early to take a quick 5-0 lead.  After a timeout the Eagles refocused and went on an 18-5 run to take the lead.  OUL rallied back and ended the half with 7-0 run of their own to get back within two points at the half with the score 26-24 in favor of CCU. 

The game continued to be a defensive battle in the second half as both teams went back and forth with the lead changing hands several times.  With the score tied at 50-50 with just a few minutes remaining, the Eagles rallied together and came up with some big plays.  A foul and the basket by Eunika Hisle gave CCU a four point lead late in the game.  Timely baskets by Da Da Willis, Tiarra Hopson, and Sabrina Wynn kept CCU in front in the final minutes as CCU came away with the 8 point win.  The Eagles outrebounded OUL 63-36 in the game, with 34 of those being offensive rebounds.

"We overcame an off shooting night and still found a way to come out on top,"  said coach Batten.  "We overcame a big rally by OUL in the second half and fought back to regain the momentum.  Several of our players stepped up and made big plays down the stretch to get this victory. Good teams overcome off nights and still find a way to win and that is exactly what we did today."

Four CCU players tallied double-doubles in the victory.  Da Da Willis led all scorers with 14 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds.  Sabrina Wynn scored 12 and had 15 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson added 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Eunika Hisle was once again a force inside as she had 11 points and 16 rebounds.  

The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday night as they take on UC Clermont for a 7:00pm start.

December 12th, 2008

Eagles Defeat Clark State 83-39 In Home Opener

CINCINNATI, OH - After opening the season with eight straight games away from campus, the Eagles put on a show for the home crowd with a convincing 44 point victory over Clark State on Friday night.  Clark State started things off first as they scored two early baskets to take a 4-0 lead.  The Eagles defense would tighten up and responded by limiting Clark State to only 14 points in the first half.  CCU went into the locker room with a commanding 39-14 lead.

CCU continued their strong performance in the second half and would never look back.  The Eagles went on to win 83-39 to pick up their first victory at home this season.  The CCU defense controlled the game as they forced Clark State into 39 turnovers and limited them to 27% shooting.  CCU sharpshooters Melissa Cinnamon and Dana Finney combined for 7 three pointers in the contest to give the Eagles a big boost offensively.

"We really focused all week on containing their big post player and we did a great job of executing that plan tonight," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "It was really a team effort on both ends of the floor.  When our outside shooters are hitting and busting the zone like they did tonight it really makes us a really hard basketball team to beat."

Eunika Hisle had yet another double-double as she scored 16 points and pulled down 13 boards.  Tiarra Hopson tallied 11 points in the win. Gladys Dudley provided a big spark off the bench with 10 points.

The Eagles are back in action on Saturday as they take on Ohio University Lancaster at 2:00PM.

December 6th, 2008

Eagles Defeat Ohio University Lancaster and JBC for a Pair of Weekend Wins

Gladys Dudley leaps high for an offensive rebound in the first half against JBC.

CINCINNATI, OH - The Eagles enjoyed a succesful weekend on the hardwood as they came away with two big victories to move to 5-3 on the season.  On Friday night the Eagles headed north to take on Ohio University Lancaster of the ORCC.  CCU dominated the first half defensively, allowing only 14 points in the half.  CCU used a balanced offensive attack to head into halftime with a 30-14 lead.  The Eagles kept the the Cougars at bay in the second half and went on to close the door for a 62-54 win. 

"This is a big road win for us," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "OUL came into this game with a good record and they have a reputation for being very tough to beat at home.  We did a good job in the first half of defending their two big scorers and that was pivotal tonight."

Eunika Hisle led CCU with 17 points and 15 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson scored 13 points.  Da Da Willis added 9 points.

On Saturday, the Eagles played Johnson Bible College and came away with a convincing 76-42 win to pick up their first conference victory of the season.  CCU used the fast break to build a 34-19 first half lead.  The second half proved to be more of the same as the Eagle defensive pressure proved to be too much for JBC.  CCU forced 32 JBC turnovers and held the Evangels to 31% shooting in the game.  The Eagles also had a 51-30 rebounding advantage in the game, with 20 of those being offensive rebounds.

The Eagles were led by Sabrina Wynn who scored 19 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.  Eunika Hisle had another double double as she had 14 points and had 16 rebounds.  Melissa Cinnamon had the hot hand from downtown as she scored 12 points.  Tiarra Hopson added 11 points in the win.

The Eagles are back in action on Friday as they take on Clark State at 5:30PM.

December 3rd, 2008

8th Ranked Eagles Fall to 12th Ranked Ohio Christian on the Road

Tiarra Hopson led CCU with 20 points on Tuesday night against OCU. 

CIRCLEVILLE, OH - The Eagles headed north on to take on league rival Ohio Christian University on Tuesday night and came up short, losing 80-79 in a thrilling contest.  OCU came out of the gate early and went up 5-0 to start the game.  CCU had a sluggish start and trailed by as many as 17 points at one point in the 1st half with the score 37-20.  The Eagles regrouped at the end of the half and went into the locker room trailing 37-48.

CCU rallied back in the second half with tenacious defense and pressure on the ball to get back into the game.  The Eagles forced 26 OCU turnovers and tallied 20 steals in the contest.  A Tiarra Hopson jumper with a minute remaining in the game gave the Eagles a 79-78 lead.  OCU answered back with a basket by Angela Thorne with 15 seconds remaining to take a one point lead at 80-79.  After a jump ball, the Eagles called a timeout and set up for the last shot with 2 seconds remaining but could not convert at the buzzer.

"We dug oursevles a big hole in the first half and showed a lot of heart by battling back," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "Obviously it hurts to rally back and come up one point short but games like this help our team become battle tested and those battles make us better."

Tiarra Hopson led the Eagles with 20 points on 9 of 15 shooting.  Eunika Hisle was strong inside with 19 points and 10 rebounds.  Dana Finney had 10 points and six steals for CCU. 

The Eagles are back in action as they take on Ohio University Lancaster on Friday in Lancaster, Ohio.

November 18th, 2008

Eagles Ranked 10th in the Latest NCCAA National Poll

CINCINNATI, OH - The Golden Eagles cracked the Top 10 in the national poll this week after winning three games in Philadelphia to start the season.  CCU is currently 3-1 on the season after a tough loss to the defending NCCAA National Champions on Tuesday night.  The Eagles fell to #1 ranked Kentucky Christian University 94-59 in their conference opener.

The Eagles got behind early after KCU opened up the game with a 20-3 run.  CCU regained their composure after a timeout and battled back but still went into the lockeroom trailing 41-23.  The second half was faster paced as both teams pressured and utitlized the fast break.  The CCU defense forced 22 KCU turnovers but it wasn't enough as KCU enjoyed a strong shooting night.  The Knights went on to win 94-59.

"We learned some valuable lessons today on where we want to be as a team," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "KCU played like champions tonight and showed why they are the #1 team in the nation.  We battled for 40 minutes and never backed down so I am proud of our girls for working so hard.  We want to get to where they are as a program and we on the right track to getting there."

Sabrina Wynn led all scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds.  Dana Finney had 11 points for the Eagles.  Eunika Hisle tallied 8 points, 6 rebounds, and had 2 blocked shots.

The Eagles are back in action on Friday night as they take on Wilberforce University of the NAIA AMC Conference.  The game will start at 5:30pm in Springfield, Ohio.

November 15th, 2008

Eagles Sweep VFCC Tipoff Classic with 100-50 Win Over Valley Forge

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Just hours after running up the famed "Rocky Steps" in downtown Philadelphia, the Golden Eagles (3-0) capped off their three day visit to the city of brotherly love with a 100-50 victory over the Patriots of Valley Forge Christian College for their third win in as many days.  The Eagle defense was once again on full display as CCU held their opponent to 33% shooting while swiping 15 steals and forcing 21 turnovers.  The 21 turnovers led to 29 points for the Golden Eagles.

Freshman forward Sabrina Wynn led the Eagles with a game high 29 points and 11 rebounds.  Guard Dana Finney had a hot hand as she scored 16 points in just 21 minutes of play.  Tiera Burrows came off the bench to score 13 points and grab 5 rebounds in 17 minutes of action.  Tiarra Hopson tallied 12 points on 6 of 11 shooting.  Eunika Hisle had another solid performance as she scored 11 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots.  Da Da Willis was once again strong at the point with 7 points, 5 steals, and 10 assists in the Eagle Victory.

The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Grayson, Kentucky to take on Kentucky Christian University.  The Lady Knights are the defending NCCAA National Champions.  "Coach Arnett and the Lady Knights have dominated the NCCAA over the past two decades and it will be a great test for our young team," said head coach Jamey Batten.

November 14th, 2008
 
Women's Basketball Defeats Davis College 95-31 For Second Straight Win
 
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Golden Eagles (2-0) won their second straight game at the Valley Forge Tipoff Classic on Friday with a 95-31 route of Davis College from New York.  The Eagles opened up the game with a 36-4 run and would never look back. The CCU defense was once again stellar as they held Davis to 23% shooting in the contest while outrebounding the Falcons 62-31.  The Golden Eagles tallied 26 steals in the game and forced their opponent into 37 turnovers.  The CCU bench made a big contribution as they scored 40 points.
 
Freshman forward Eunika Hisle led the Eagles with a game high 23 points and 14 rebounds.  Guard Tiarra Hopson tallied 14 points on 7 of 11 shooting.  Freshman guard Gladys Dudley, who recently recovered from a broken hand, provided an emotional spark off of the bench with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.
 
The Eagles are back in action on Saturday as the take on the Patriots from Valley Forge Christian College at 4:00PM.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 13th, 2008

Women's Basketball Wins Thrilling Season Opener Against Atlanta Christian

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Golden Eagles (1-0) tipped off their season in thrilling fashion on Thursday as CCU pulled out a 65-62 victory over the Chargers of Atlanta Christian College.  The Eagles got off to a slow start as the Chargers came out of the gate early to take a 9-2 lead.  CCU called a timeout and regrouped to tie the game at 17-17 with ten minutes remaining in the half.  Both teams would battle back and forth as CCU went into halftime trailing 28-29.

The second half proved to more of the same as both teams went back and forth with the lead changing hands on several occassions.  An 8-0 run capped off by a pair of three pointers by freshman guard Dana Finney gave CCU a 12 point lead with 8 minutes remaining.  The Chargers rallied back in the final 5 minutes as CCU forward Sabrina Wynn fouled out of the game, leaving big shoes to fill on the inside.  Atlanta Christian had the final possession with 8 seconds remaning and trailing by three points.  The Chargers worked the ball up the floor against all out pressure from the Eagles and kicked the ball to the wing with the clock winding down.  Atlanta Christian all-region guard Danielle Ellis caught the ball with 1.8 seconds left and spotted up for the game tying shot but was quickly denied by CCU forward Eunika Hisle who blocked the shot attempt. The buzzer rang as the ball hit the floor, announcing the Eagles victorious.

CCU was led by Sabrina Wynn who had a game high 20 points and 10 rebounds.  Tiarra Hopson made a huge contribution with 19 points and 4 steals.  Da Da Willis made a major game impact with 8 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 7 steals.  Eunika Hisle played big on the inside with 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots.  Dana Finney overcame a 1st half injury as she scored 6 points on two big three point baskets.

"Our defense was intense and spectacular today," said head coach Jamey Batten.  "Whenever you can force 24 turnovers and hold your opponent to 30% shooting good things are bound to happen.  We received big contributions from several freshmen that are learning to be leaders on the floor and that is great so early in the season.  We don't have juniors or seniors to look to and so our young team is learning to step up and lead.  Atlanta Christian is a strong talented team from the South Region that will win a lot of games this season so obviously this is big win for us."

The Eagles are back in action tomorrow as they take on the Falcons of Davis College.