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DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – Three Lady Eagles scored in double figures to lead North Carolina Central University to a come-from-behind 60-49 victory over Morgan State University on Saturday afternoon inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium, ending a 13-game losing skid.

The Lady Eagles last enjoyed the sweet taste of victory back to Dec. 18, 2010, when NCCU upset Big South power Liberty University, 50-48.

“This is a huge win for us,” NCCU head coach Joli Robinson said about ending the drought. “It’s just a great feeling for the players. It gives them the confidence in doing the things that we ask them to do to get the win. They deserve to celebrate this victory.”

NCCU (3-21) received contributions from a host of Lady Eagles. Senior Jori Nwachukwu recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while also securing a season-best six steals. Sophomore Chasidy Williams came off the bench to score 15 points, including 11 in the opening 20 minutes to keep the Lady Eagles close in the first half. Sophomore #J’Mia Pollock# collected 10 boards, her third double-digit rebounding effort this season, to go along with six points and two blocked shots. And freshman point guard Tenika Neely scored a season-high 10 points with two steals, three assists and only one turnover in 31 minutes of action.

“Tenika Neely came through for us,” Robinson said. “She created some things, she penetrated and she hit some big shots to give us the confidence and momentum to keep going.”

Morgan State (14-9) scored the first five points of the contest and led by as much as eight points (24-16 at 7:02) in the opening stanza. NCCU closed the first half with a 13-6 run, including seven points from Williams, to trim the deficit to 29-30 at intermission.

On the first possession out of the locker room, Neely nailed a three-pointer to give NCCU its first lead of the afternoon, 32-30 at 19:32, and the Lady Eagles never looked back.

NCCU used a 7-0 spurt, including five points courtesy of Nwachukwu, to open up a 43-33 cushion with 12:54 remaining.

The home team’s advantage was 48-37 with 7:24 left to play when Morgan State tallied seven unanswered points to make it a four-point contest (48-44) at 3:59.

The Lady Eagles responded by scoring the next 12 points to enjoy their largest lead of the night, 60-44 with 1:12 on the clock, and seal the victory.

Morgan State was topped by senior center Theresa Davis with 13 points, five rebounds and two rejections. Sophomore guard Jamesia Smith added 11 points, while junior Kyla Rollins came off the bench to contribute eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Lady Bears.

After connecting on 37.5 percent (9-for-24) of its field goal attempts in the first half, Morgan State hit only 18.5 percent (5-for-27) from the floor after the break, finishing the game shooting 14-of-51 (27.5%). NCCU, on the other hand, shot a steady 42.3 percent from the field, making 22-of-52 field goals.

The Lady Eagles also out-rebounded the visitors 40-36, and turned the ball over only 19 times compared to 21 miscues by MSU.

NCCU returns to the McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium hardwood on Monday night (Feb. 14) against Coppin State at 5:30.