HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Juniors Kimeira Burks and Blessing Okoh both had their best scoring performances yet for the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team in a 69-60 loss at Hofstra University on Friday afternoon.
 
The Eagles used a 17-2 run to pull within six points (66-60) heading into the last minute of the game, but Hofstra made three free throws and held NCCU off the scoreboard for the final 60 seconds to prevail by nine points.
 
The Pride made 11 three-pointers and scored 34 points off turnovers to pick up their first win as Hofstra improved to 1-2 on the early campaign. The Eagles were held to a season-low 29.1 percent shooting from the field as NCCU (1-4) suffered its fourth straight loss.
 
NCCU was held to just one made field goal in the first quarter, going 1 of 12 from the floor (8.3%) to fall behind by five points. Okoh made that lone hoop at the 4:29 mark to give NCCU its last lead at 6-5. However, the Pride used an 8-2 run to pull ahead 13-8 after 10 minutes of play.
 
Hofstra's lead grew to as many as 11 points early in the second quarter. Burks helped NCCU rally from that point by drilling a pair of 3-pointers in the period, including a trey as time was expiring to close the halftime deficit to five points, 31-26.
 
Burks led NCCU into the locker room with eight of her season-high 21 points by halftime. She also had five of her nine rebounds at the midway break as she just missed a double-double.
 
Okoh converted on a 3-point play to begin the third quarter that pulled NCCU within one possession, 31-29, before the Pride scored 11 consecutive points to increase their lead back to double digits. The Eagles missed their final 10 field goal attempts of the quarter as they were held to just one made field in a quarter for a second time in the contest. The Pride led 52-37 after three periods of play and increased their cushion to as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter before NCCU made its late rally.
 
Graduate student Rosi Nicholson led Hofstra with 13 points. Junior Ally Knights connected for four treys to score her 12 points while handing out five assists. Senior Sorelle Ineza was a third Pride scorer in double digits with 11 points.
 
Burks made four 3-pointers on the day, including two trifectas during the late 17-2 run. She finished with eight points during that stretch.  Okoh reached double-digit points for a third time this season and her 14 points is a new season-best total. Senior Kira Lowery and sophomore Aniya Finger each finished with eight points. Lowery led the maroon and gray with four assists while Finger contributed eight rebounds and two blocks.
 
NC Central returns home and will next host North Carolina Wesleyan University on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
 
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.