DURHAM, N.C. – Freshman guard Jada Blow scored a team-high 15 points and put host North Carolina Central University in the lead at the 1:26 mark of the fourth quarter with her third 3-pointer of the evening before Pfeiffer scored the contest's final seven points in the last 40 seconds to claim a 50-47 victory on Friday in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
Junior forward Kierona Morton knocked down two free throws to extend NCCU's edge to 47-43 with 57 ticks left before the Falcons flew ahead in the final moments.
 
Senior center Lauren Janka started Pfeiffer's closing run with a layup. The Falcons missed two free throws on their next possession but a big offensive rebound by senior forward Ariana Tillman off the second miss set up a go-ahead three-pointer by sophomore guard Sydni Binkford. Pfeiffer made one of two attempts from the free throw line on their final two possessions to cap the finishing flurry.
 
NCCU committed three of its 19 turnovers in the final minute to aid the visitors rally. The Lady Eagles did have the ball for the final five seconds, but a last-ditch drive down the lane resulted in a missed shot with no foul call drawn at the final horn.
 
Senior guard Meg Pritchard led the victors with 20 points. Janka netted a double-double of 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Tillman finished with 11 boards.
 
Blow came off the bench to record 15 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists in her collegiate debut. Senior guard Morgan Jones paced NCCU's starters with 10 points and seven rebounds. Freshman forward Paulina Afriyie pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and sophomore forward Deja McCain tallied seven points and five rebounds in her first collegiate start.
 
Pfeiffer scored the first six points and led throughout the first half. NCCU shot a dismal 11.1-percent (2 of 18) in the first quarter and trailed by 10, 28-18, at halftime.
 
The Lady Eagles fought back after the intermission, scoring the first 10 points of the second half to knot the score for the first time at 28-28. The fight back featured a pair of drilled 3-pointers by Blow.
 
The Falcons regained the lead for the next few minutes before a pair of successful free throws by Blow lifted NCCU to its first lead of 33-32 at the 1:20 mark of the third period. A fast break layup as time expired by sophomore guard Rodneysha Martin kept the Lady Eagles ahead, 36-34, heading into the final quarter.
 
The two teams played within four points of each other throughout the fourth quarter, setting up the late drama that unfolded in favor of the Falcons.
 
Pfeiffer shot 32.8-percent from the field and grabbed 52 rebounds in comparison to 25.0-percent shooting accuracy and 50 rebounds by the Lady Eagles, but the Falcons missed majority of their free throws to keep NCCU in it. Pfeiffer was 7 of 29 for 24.1% from the free-throw line.
 
NCCU (0-1 Overall) will next play at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.