Box Score
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Sophomore guard Jada Blow led the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team with 12 points and her fourth 3-pointer gave the Eagles a fourth-quarter lead just before host North Carolina A&T State University was able to string together a 20-6 closing run to escape with a 67-54 win Saturday afternoon at the Corbett Sports Center.
 
Blow matched her season-high point total of 12 points by converting on 4-of-7 attempts from three-point distance. NCCU trailed by eight going into the final quarter before Blow accounted for the Eagles first three field goals of the period and her third consecutive swish from beyond the arc providing the visitors with a 48-47 edge with just six minutes and 35 seconds left.
 
However, the Aggies scored the next nine points to regain control in front of a capacity-filled home crowd of 5,700 fans. The Eagles were held to two made field goals over the final six minutes in dropping their third straight game.
 
North Carolina A&T (11-7 Overall) has won seven straight games and is tied for first in the MEAC with a flawless 6-0 league ledger. NCCU slipped to 5-15 on the campaign and 3-4 in the conference.
 
Sophomore Paulina Afriyie and freshman Kieche White joined Blow as double-digit scorers for the Eagles with 10 points apiece. Afriyie filled up the box score with six rebounds, three steals, two blocks and one assist.
 
NCCU only led once in the first half, 6-5, on a junior Deja McCain layup. The Aggies went on an ensuing 17-4 run to construct a 22-10 advantage after 10 minutes of play. N.C. A&T's cushion grew to as many as 15 points in the second quarter and the hosts continued to maintain a comfortable 34-23 lead at halftime.
 
The Aggies took advantage of 26 free throw attempts in the first half compared to just three awarded free throw attempts to NCCU in the half to help secure the 11-point halftime advantage.
 
North Carolina A&T continued to lead by 11 late in the third quarter before a three-pointer by White – the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week – closed the gap to single digits, 45-37, after three quarters.
 
Blow's three 3-pointers highlighted NCCU's 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter as the Eagles grabbed a one-point lead for a second and final time. The Aggies responded with the next nine points and NCCU only made two of its final nine field goal attempts (22.2%) as the Eagles came up short in their attempt to win a second straight showdown in the Corbett Sports Center.
 
Sophomore Alexus Lessears led the victors with totals of 13 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Classmate Cinia McCray added 12 points and fellow sophomore C'Coriea Foy tacked on 10 points and seven steals.
 
NCCU returns to its home hardwood in a MEAC match-up against Delaware State University on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Eagles have a winning record at home and defeated the Hornets in their first meeting in Dover, Delaware, on Jan. 3 by a 75-67 margin.