North Carolina Central University will participate in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) 2009 Pink Zone initiative, an effort by the WBCA to increase breast cancer awareness, when the Lady Eagles take on the Lancers of Longwood University on Tuesday, Jan. 13, inside McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

The game will feature the Lady Eagles taking the court in pink uniforms that were provided by Russell Athletics. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink to show their support of this event.

The WBCA Pink Zone initiative is a global, unified effort for the WBCA nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.

"Breast cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases that I have personally been affected by," said NCCU head coach Joli Robinson. "Having relatives, friends, and colleagues experiencing the ups and downs - from discovery to treatment and from remission to reoccurrence - is a journey that I have seen firsthand.

"I admire the strength and character of these individuals, as well as all women facing the perils of breast cancer," Robinson said. "It is so important that we continue the efforts of educating the public about breast cancer and how our dollars can aid greatly in research and move closer to finding a cure."

NCCU Athletics will conduct a raffle with a chance to win an official Pink Zone basketball signed by N.C. State interim head coach Stephanie Glance, NCCU head coach Joli Robinson, and the members of the Lady Eagles basketball team.  Proceeds will be donated to the Kay Yow Foundation. Donations will also be accepted.

For more information on the WBCA's Pink Zone initiative, please visit the WBCA website at

www.WBCA.org/pinkzone.asp.

NCCU (4-13) heads into Tuesday's game after dropping its road contest against Chicago State, 53-42, on Saturday afternoon in Chicago, Ill.

Junior forward Jori Nwachukwu led the Lady Eagles with 21 points, knocking down nine baskets. Freshman Chasidy Williams was the second on the team with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Longwood (5-10) is coming off a 93-83 home loss to Columbia on Wednesday at the Millis Center. Four Lancers led their team in double figures.  Anna Steg and Becky Fernandes topped Longwood with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Morgan Smith and Sierra Fletcher both scored 11 points for the Lancers.