DOVER, Del. – Freshman guard Dominique Adams scored a season-high 14 points to pace visiting North Carolina Central University in a 66-56 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball loss at Delaware State University Wednesday evening in Memorial Hall Gym.
 
The Lady Eagles held a one-point lead at halftime before being held to just 21.4-percent shooting in the second half to lose by 10. NCCU (3-14 Overall, 2-5 MEAC) remained winless on the road this season at 0-11.
 
Freshman forward NaJai Pollard, who has earned MEAC Rookie of the Week laurels six times already this season, had her best performance yet in her inaugural season. Pollard tossed in 23 points and pulled down 15 rebounds – both season-high totals – for her fourth double-double.
 
The Lady Hornets dominated the play in the frontcourt. Delaware State (6-13, 3-3) controlled the backboards with a 51-36 rebounding advantage and outscored the Lady Eagles 46-20 in the paint.
 
Adams scored her 14 points of 5 of 10 precision from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. Junior guard Morgan Jones had another strong performance with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Seniors Kristin Askew and Tisha Dixon contributed eight and seven points, respectively. Freshman Deja McCain led the Maroon and Gray with a season-high nine rebounds.
 
DSU started strong before NCCU rallied in the second period to lead by one, 37-36, at halftime.
 
The Lady Hornets made their first six shots to jump out 12-4. DSU shot 64.7-percent (11 of 17) in the first 10 minutes to extend its lead to 23-12. The Lady Eagles responded with defensive intensity that led to a 25-13 second quarter in favor of the quests.
 
NCCU's comeback featured four steals in the period and 3-pointers by Askew, Jones and Adams. The Lady Eagles forced Delaware State into eight turnovers after the Lady Hornets only committing two turnovers in the first quarter. NCCU held a 10-2 edge on points off mistakes and Adams had tallied 11 of her 14 points before going into the locker room at halftime.
 
A three-pointer by freshman Ivana Negron on the opening possession of the second half regained the lead for good for hosts. DSU outscored NCCU 22-12 in the third period and led 58-49 at the end of the period. The Lady Hornets held the Eagles to just three made field goals on 14 attempts (21.4%).
 
Both teams struggled in the fourth quarter as each team was held to under 10 points in the period. Delaware State was able to maintain a decent cushion in the low-scoring stanza all the way to the final buzzer.
 
NCCU will continue its travels with a MEAC tilt at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, on Monday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.