Final Statistics

BALTIMORE, Md. – In the final eight minutes of the game, the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles went on a 15-2 scoring run to turn a 12-point Morgan State lead (37-25) to a maroon and grey one-point lead (40-39).  But the Lady Bears would not retreat with under a minute left, sealing a 44-42 victory on Monday, Jan. 17 in Hill Field House in Baltimore, Md.

 

NCCU freshman Tenika Neely, who finished with four points, commenced the 15-2 run at the 7:39 mark. Within the 5:03 surge, J’Mia Pollock, Jori Nwachukwu and Blaire Houston each dominated in the paint. But it was senior Shanise Blanks’ sole three-point basket on the night, which took the Lady Eagles to a one-point lead (40-39). 

 

On her home three-point arc, Morgan State’s Brittany Noel hit her only long range basket of the contest to regain the lead for the Lady Bears, 42-40.

 

With a minute left in the contest, Houston drove into the paint to hit a miraculous layup placing the Lady Eagles within one, 43-42. In an attempt to obtain another possession, NCCU sent Morgan State’s Brittany Dodson to the charity stripe with 10 seconds left on the clock. As Dodson went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line, the maroon and grey were at a two-point deficit with just enough time for one shot.

 

Unfortunately for the Lady Eagles, Nwachukwu was unable to release the layup before the contest ended.

 

NCCU controlled the game for the first five minutes of play.  Nwachukwu placed the Lady Eagles on the board, netting two free throws at the 19:28 mark. Moneshia Davis, who led with eight points, put the Lady Bears on the scoreboard. 

 

By the 7:05 mark, Morgan State took its first lead of the game. The hosts and visitors went point-for-point until the Lady Bears obtained a five-point lead. By the halftime intermission, the Lady Eagles pulled the margin to three for a score of 19-16.

 

The Lady Bears began the second half with a true since of offensive urgency, pacing to a 12-3 run, leading by 10 points at the 12:00 mark (31-21). Prior to the NCCU 15-2 run, the Lady Eagles broke the margin to as low as six.

 

Two NCCU student-athletes scored in double-figures, Houston netted 11 points, while Nwachukwu earned her seventh double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Pollock, who ended with six points, pulled down nine rebounds. Houston and Blanks shared in the offensive flow with two assists apiece.

 

While the Lady Eagles held Morgan State’s leading scorers to single-digit performances, eight members of the team contributed to the offensive campaign. Davis and Brittany Noel scored eight points apiece. Theresa Davis and Mahala Thomas followed with seven points each. M. Davis and Noel led the rebounding game with seven boards apiece. Erin Hawkins set the offense in motion with three assists.

 

Collectively, NCCU seized 42 rebounds, blocked three shots and stole five possessions. The Lady Eagles hit 24 percent from the field, 67 percent from the charity stripe and the Lady Bears held the maroon and grey to 12.5 percent from behind the arc.

 

As a unit, Morgan State grabbed 44 rebounds, blocked six shots and stole five NCCU possessions. The host team scored 30 percent from the field, 23 percent from behind the arc and 46 percent from the free-throw line.

 

NCCU drops to 2-15 on the season, while Morgan State advances to 9-7 (3-1 MEAC).

 

The Lady Eagles return to action on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. in Norfolk, Va., to battle Norfolk State University.

 

NCCU fans can catch all of the action live online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com, where Chris Hooks will bring live play-by-play action from Norfolk State University.  Eagle Gameday, the pregame show, will air 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

  

For more information on Lady Eagles basketball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.