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DURHAM, N.C. — A trio of Eagles had standout performances in leading the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team to a convincing 76-60 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) home win against Delaware State University on Saturday afternoon in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
Junior guard Rodneysha Martin led all scorers with 26 points and she added eight rebounds, three assists and three steals to her career-high point total for the victors. Classmate Caira Benton swished 21 points, which was seven points more than her previous high since transferring to NCCU. Sophomore Paulina Afriyie tacked on her sixth double-double with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
 
NCCU (6-15 Overall, 4-4 MEAC) completed the season series sweep against the Hawks while leveling its league ledger with a third consecutive win in front of the home crowd. DSU (4-18, 3-6) was unsuccessful in its attempt to win a third straight game.
 
After a close first half that featured three lead changes and five ties, NCCU pulled away with a strong second half. The Eagles held a 37-32 edge at halftime behind 17 first-half points by Martin. Afriyie tacked on seven points in the third to increase NCCU's advantage to 51-44 heading into the final quarter.
 
The Eagles soared away in final 10 minutes, outscoring Delaware State 25-16 behind 10-of-15 (66.7%) marksmanship from the field. Benton scored nine of those 25 points, making all four of her shots in the quarter.
 
NCCU earned its most lopsided league victory of the season by committing a season-low 12 turnovers while distributing the ball with 16 assists on 28 made field goals (57%). Freshman Kieche White divvied out four assists while Martin and junior Dominique Adams each dished out three dimes.
 
Juniors Deja McCain and Jayla Calhoun each chipped in six points. Six of Afriyie's 17 rebounds were on the offensive end that helped the Eagles score 16 second-chance points. Martin and McCain totaled eight and seven rebounds, respectively, as the maroon and gray won the rebounding battle, 51-45.
 
NCCU next entertains defending MEAC Tournament champions Hampton University on Monday at 4 p.m.