WASHINGTON, D.C. — Junior guard Rodneysha Martin poured in a game-high 20 points to pace the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team in a 69-54 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) loss at Howard University Saturday afternoon in Burr Gymnasium.
 
The Eagles led as late as 32-31 early in the third quarter before the Bison went on an ensuing 17-4 run. NCCU (5-13 Overall) was unable to recover for its potential third straight win. Howard (7-11 Overall) won its third straight contest and both teams are now tied in the MEAC standing with a 3-2 mark in conference skirmishes.
 
Martin scored nine of her 20 points in the first quarter in helping the Eagles fly out to their largest lead at 17-11. The Bison scored the next eight points to secure their first lead, 19-17, early in the second quarter.
 
NCCU freshman Kieche White, who was playing in her hometown for the first time in her collegiate career, scored all seven of her points in the first half. White cashed in five straight points on a difficult layup and a three-pointer to push the Eagles back ahead by one, 26-25.
 
Howard scored the next four points to help take a 29-28 edge at halftime.
 
After the Bison scored the first hoop of the second half, a basket by Martin and a layup by junior Jayla Calhoun lifted NCCU to its last lead of 32-31.
 
Howard's game-changing 17-4 run was highlighted by three consecutive three pointers: the first by sophomore Ayonna Williams and the final two by classmate Sarah Edmond. The hosts stayed up by at least nine points for the final 13 minutes and saw its advantage grow to as many as 19 in the fourth quarter.
 
Williams led the victors with 16 points and Edmonds followed with 12 points. Senior Tajzhane Dopson and sophomore Jayla Myles both chipped in 11 points.
 
Howard dominated the backboards, 58-42, and Myles yanked down a game-high 14 rebounds to complete a double-double.
 
The Eagles were held to 27.7-percent shooting, including an icy 23.5-percent in the second half.
 
Reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week Paulina Afriyie flirted with her sixth double-double by tallying eight points and seizing a team-high nine rebounds.
 
NCCU next travels to Princess Anne, Maryland, to play MEAC foe University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday at 5:30 p.m.