DURHAM, N.C. – Forward Tisha Dixon scored 13 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out three assists while guard Kristin Askew tallied seven points, two assists and one steal to highlight their Senior Day for North Carolina Central University in a 63-46 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss to Bethune-Cookman University Saturday afternoon in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The NCCU coaching staff honored Dixon, Askew and four-year team manager LaShawn Barnett before tip-off Saturday.
 
The Wildcats made nine 3-pointers and shot 43.9-percent on the floor and tallied 21 assists on 25 made field goals to maintain share of the lead in the MEAC standings. Bethune-Cookman (15-9 Overall, 9-2 MEAC) got 14-point performances from a duo of freshmen in Ashantii Hunt and Angel Golden.
 
NCCU (4-17, 2-8) trailed from the onset despite 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds from Dixon.
 
A 7-0 run by the Wildcats started the coast-to-coast victory for the visitors. The Lady Eagles only trailed by five, 12-7, at the end of the first quarter but Bethune-Cookman scored 24 points in the second quarter, including four 3-pointers, to double up NCCU, 36-18, at halftime.
 
The Lady Eagles actually outscored the Wildcats, 28-27, in the second half but Bethune-Cookman kept at least a 16-point edge throughout the final 20 minutes.
 
Freshman Rodneysha Martin scored a season-high 10 points for the Maroon and Gray. She was 4 for 8 from the field and made two of NCCU's three made 3-pointers. Classmate Chantal Thomas matched Dixon by dishing out three helpers. NCCU leading scorer junior Morgan Jones was held to just four points but did have five rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Kierona Morton chipped in six rebounds.
 
The Wildcats have the MEAC's top ranked defense, which led to B-CU having twice as many points off turnovers (16-8). Junior Kailyn Williams helped hold NCCU to 30.9-percent shooting from the floor with five blocks.
 
NCCU next hosts Florida A&M University in MEAC play on Monday at 5:30 p.m.