Jan. 23, 2009

Final Stats

BALTIMORE, MD - North Carolina Central University junior forward Latoya Bennett scored a career-high 17 points as the Lady Eagles defeated the Bears of Morgan State University, 63-48, Tuesday evening at Hill Field House.

NCCU (7-13) took a commanding lead of 19-4, as Bennett connected on nine points during the run.

MSU scored its eighth point with 9:31 remaining in the half, but did not score for the next 6:30, while the Lady Eagles blew open a 32-8 lead with 2:52 left. However, MSU (11-6) connected on four straight three pointers to cut the Lady Eagle lead to 15 before intermission. NCCU was up 35-20 at the break.

Bennett had 13 points in the first half, as Jori Nwachukwu matched Bennett's point totals.

In the second half, the Bears' Corin Adams cut the deficit to 43-51 on a lay-up with 7:00 left in the game. The Lady Eagles went on a 12-6 run to capture the victory over Morgan State.

Nwachukwu finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds, both game highs. Bennett added a season-best 12 rebounds to her career-high 17 points for her first double-double of the year.

"I played no different," said junior forward Bennett. "I guess today was my day, especially in my hometown."

The Lady Eagles shot 44 percent from the field, and shot 56 percent from the free throw line. MSU connected on just 29 percent of its field goal attempts, including 5-of-32 shooting from three-point range.

Morgan State was led by Corin Adams who had 17 points.

This is NCCU's first win over Morgan State, as the Bears lead the series 3-1.