Box Score
DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead in its attempt to knock off the preseason favorites to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, but North Carolina A&T State University outscored the Lady Eagles by 30 points over the final three quarters to secure a 62-38 road win Saturday afternoon in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
NCCU made 6 of its first 10 shots to grab a quick 15-8 advantage and continued to lead 18-12 after 10 minutes of play. However, NCAT surged ahead with a 23-2 second quarter to lead by 15, 35-20, at halftime before coasting to the 24-point triumph.
 
The Aggies, who won the MEAC Tournament last season, moved over .500 in the league at 4-3. North Carolina A&T (8-12 Overall) dominated the paint, 44-16, and more than doubled-up the Lady Eagles, 23-11, on points off turnovers.
 
Senior Morgan Jones scored a team-high nine points for the maroon and gray. Freshman Erin Houser came off the bench to score eight points and junior Kierona Morton chipped in six points. Sophomore Deja McCain led the Lady Eagles with eight rebounds while sophomore Dominique Adams and Paulina Afriyie supplied seven rebounds apiece.
 
Morton scored four of NCCU's first six points and a three-pointer by Jones capped the hosts opening 15-8 run. Freshman Jada Blow added her own trey in the final minute of the first quarter to keep NCCU up six heading into the second quarter.
 
The Aggies kept the Lady Eagles off the scoreboard for over five minutes to start the second quarter and outscored them 12-0 over that span. NCCU went 1 of 12 (8.3%) from the field in the decisive second stanza.
 
Junior Michelle Fitzgerald led the victors with 17 points. Senior Dana Brown sank 11 points and freshman Alexus Lessears scored eight points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
NCCU next visits Delaware State University on Monday at 5:30 p.m.