Ray's Double-Double
Leads NCCU to Win Over Catawba
December 28, 2002
DURHAM, NC - Senior guard Shawn Ray recorded his second "double-double"
of the season to lead North Carolina Central University to a 63-61
men's basketball victory over Catawba College, providing the Eagles
with their third straight home win at McLendon-McDougald Gym in
Durham, NC.
Catawba guard Brian Frasier picked up a loose ball and attempted a
3-pointer in front of the visitor's bench as time expired, but the
potential game-winner was off the mark.
Ray amassed 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 steals and 3 assists in 36
minutes of action for NCCU (5-6). Junior guard James Tucker came off the
Eagle bench for 11 points, while senior guard Michael Noel and sophomore
forward Jermond Debro contributed 9 points apiece. Debro also added 7
boards and 3 blocked shots.
Junior guard Duke Phipps paced Catawba (3-8) with 19 points and 9
rebounds. Phipps hit 6-of-12 from the field, including 4-for-7 from
behind the arch, but managed only 3-of-8 from the charity stripe. As a
team, the Indians shot 5-of-15 (33.3 percent) from the foul line in the
decisive second half.
In a game that saw nine ties and 13 lead changes, the outcome was
decided with less than 10 ticks on the clock. Catawba senior guard Kevin
Petty's lay-up with eight seconds left cut the Eagle advantage to 62-61.
Ray was fouled after receiving the in-bounds pass and sent to the
line with seven seconds remaining. Ray, who entered the contest with
only two missed free throws all season (35-for-37 / 94.6 percent),
missed his third free throw of the second half on his first attempt
before sinking the second to make the score 63-61.
After a time out, the Indians pushed the ball up the floor, but
could not get a designed play set up. Frasier grabbed a loose ball a had
a decent look at a game-winner from just outside the three-point line.
With NCCU fans holding their breath, the ball bounced off the rim and
fell to the hardwood.
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