DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore Deja McCain grabbed her season-high 10th rebound off a potential game-tying 3-point attempt by Delaware State University and then made two ensuing free throw with five seconds left to seal a 68-63 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball win for host North Carolina Central University on Tuesday afternoon in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The Lady Eagles held a 53-40 at the end of three quarters before the Hornets swarmed back with some high-pressure trapping defense. DSU forced NCCU into nine turnover in the final 10 minutes that results in an extra seven points.
 
However, NCCU continued to cling to a 63-58 lead going into the final minute. Junior guard Mikah Aldridge then hit a 3-pointer for the Hornets with 46 seconds left to make it a one possession game. After senior Chantal Thomas made 1-of-2 free throws, Aldridge cashed in a pair of her own free throws to close the gap to one point at 64-63.
 
The Hornets fouled again and senior Morgan Jones converted both of her attempts to increase NCCU's lead to 66-63 with 20 seconds. Delaware State decided to go for the game-tying trey but freshman Kia Abrams attempt was wayward and McCain came up with her biggest board of the day before making her two clutch free throws.
 
NCCU (2-11 Overall) starts MEAC play 1-0 for a second straight year while Delaware State (1-14) remained winless at 2-2 in league skirmishes.
 
McCain and junior Kierona Morton both pulled down 10 rebounds as NCCU dominated the glass, 50-35. Both forwards just missed double-doubles as they each poured in eight points.
 
Jones led the Lady Eagles in scoring for the seventh time with 17 points. She has scored double-digit points nine times this season, including six consecutive contests. Jones also provided five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
Sophomore guards Chantal Thomas and Dominique Adams netted 11 and nine points, respectively. Thomas dished out six assists and Adams corralled six rebounds.
 
All five ties and three lead changes occurred in the first quarter and the two teams were deadlocked, 15-15, heading into the second quarter. Jones hit a 3-pointer, the second of her three, on the opening possession of the second period to put NCCU ahead for good. The Lady Eagles held a 32-28 lead at halftime before flying ahead by 13 with a dominating 21-12 third quarter.
 
Reigning MEAC Freshman of the Year NaJai Pollard, who leads the league in both scoring and rebounding, led the Hornets with a double-double of 27 points and 13 rebounds. Aldridge followed with 23 points, including four made shots from behind the arc.
 
NCCU will play its second straight rescheduled game on Wednesday when the Lady Eagles host MEAC foe University of Maryland Eastern Shore at 4 p.m.