DURHAM, N.C. — Freshman forward Anissa Rivera tallied her sixth double-double of the season to lead the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team to a 65-52 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win over archrival North Carolina A&T State University Thursday evening inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The Eagles completed a regular season series sweep over the Aggies for the first time since joining the MEAC in 2011-12. The victory also marks the first time NCCU has defeated N.C. A&T at home in the DI era (last home win over NCAT was Jan. 19, 2002).
 
NC Central (12-17 Overall, 9-7 MEAC) also finishes its regular season with 12 wins, it's most wins as full DI members, and posted its first winning record in MEAC play (.563). The Eagles, who were picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll, earned the fifth seed in the MEAC Tournament after Thursday's win accompanied by a loss by Delaware State University to Howard University. It will be NCCU's best seed ever in the MEAC Tournament.
 
The Eagles will have to knock off N.C. A&T (19-9, 11-5) for a third time this season in order to advance to the semifinals for the first time ever. The Aggies are the fourth seed heading into postseason play and that sets up an NCCU/NCAT showdown in the quarterfinals for a second straight year. The Eagles will battle the Aggies on Thursday, March 12 at Noon.
 
Rivera, who leads all freshman in the MEAC in most statistical categories, completed her double-double with a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. She also had two blocks and two steals.
 
Seniors Kieche White and Paulina Afriyie also continued their strong play for the maroon and gray. White bucketed 17 points and added three assists and three steals. Afriyie just missed a double-double with nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
Rivera scored 11 of NCCU's first 13 points to help the Eagles fly out to an early 13-5 advantage. She canned a trio of treys during that opening surge.
 
NC Central still maintained a slim 15-12 edge after the first quarter before the Aggies were finally able to take their largest lead of the half and game, 26-21, midway through the second quarter. Junior Deja Winters hit a 3-pointer and made a steal and transition layup during the N.C. A&T rally.
 
The Eagles responded by scoring eight of the last 10 points to sneak into the locker room with a 29-28 halftime lead. NCCU was able to remain in front for most of the second half, but the Aggies kept things interesting until late.
 
A technical foul allowed N.C. A&T to make two free throws with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter to pull within one possession at 53-50. However, senior Zaria Atkins hit a pull-up jumper in the paint on NCCU's ensuing possession. That basket sparked a 12-2 run over the final two minutes.
 
Afriyie put the dagger into the Aggies by making a steal on an inbounds pass in the final minute. She then finished the play with a fast break layup while drawing a foul. Her made free throw to complete the 3-point play put the Eagles up double digits for the rest of the contest.
 
Atkins finished with nine points, five rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Dasmine Kasey chipped in eight points and classmate Kiyana Brown made a game-high four blocks.
 
Winters led the Aggies with 15 points.