DURHAM, N.C. — Senior forward Paulina Afriyie posted her eighth consecutive double-double with game-high totals of 20 points and 14 rebounds for host North Carolina Central University in a 70-55 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) women's basketball loss to Bethune-Cookman University Monday evening in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The Wildcats held the Eagles scoreless for nearly five minutes in the fourth quarter to break free of a one-possession game and secure their 14th straight win.
 
With the victory, Bethune-Cookman (22-5 Overall, 14-1 MEAC) clinched the MEAC regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia, scheduled for March 10-14.
 
NCCU (11-17, 8-7) had its season-best, four-game win streak come to an end, but remain in a tie for fifth place in the league standings after Delaware State University lost to Norfolk State University on Monday.
 
Afriyie scored her 20 points by making half of her field goal attempts (6-12) and swishing 8-of-9 (88.9%) free throws. The reigning MEAC Player of the Week completed another big game with 14 rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal.
 
The Eagles held a four-point edge a few times early in the contest, including as late as 12-8 with 4:44 to go in the first quarter after freshman Khadija Demry hit a shot.
 
Bethune-Cookman scored the final four points of the first period to lead 17-14 after 10 minutes of play. NCCU was able to regain a slim lead a couple of times in the second quarter, including its last lead of 23-21 with 3:45 left on a layup made by sophomore Kiyana Brown on a nice pass by senior Zaria Atkins.
 
The Wildcats took over for the rest of the half, outscoring the Eagles 15-3 to build up a 10-point advantage at halftime. The run featured a couple of made 3-pointers from the right wing by sophomore Camary Harris on passes from senior Armani Walker, who capped the run with a layup to put the visitors up 36-26 at the intermission.
 
NCCU used an 11-2 run late in the third quarter to pull back within one possession. The rally was capped by two consecutive hoops by senior Kieche White. It was the first of three times the Eagles were able to get within three points, but each time BCU scored the next points to stay in front.
 
Afriyie made a short-range jumper with 8:10 left in the fourth quarter to inch NCCU within three points, 52-49, for the final time. However, the Eagles would not score another point until Afriyie made a layup with 3:18 on the clock. The Wildcats scored 10 unanswered points over that nearly five-minute stretch to reestablish a double-digit cushion they would keep for the final three minutes.
 
Junior Amaya Scott led Bethune-Cookman with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Ashanti Hunt added 10 points, five steals, three rebounds and two assists.
 
The Wildcats shot 43.1-percent from the field while holding NCCU to just 32.1-percent. They also had 13 steals on 19 turnovers by the maroon and gray.
 
Freshman Anissa Rivera chipped in 11 points and seven boards for the Eagles. White tallied six points and Atkins contributed four points, four assists and three steals.
 
NC Central will conclude regular season play by hosting MEAC archrival North Carolina A&T State University on Thursday at 4 p.m.