CHICAGO, Ill. – Junior
Kimeira Burks and sophomore
Morgan Callahan combined for 40 points, 14 rebounds and three assists in front of their hometown area crowd, leading the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team to a 76-66 win at Chicago State University on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles shot a season-high 45.5 percent from the field to earn their first road win of the season. NCCU never trailed to improve to 3-6 on the season.
Burks matched her season-high point total with a game-high 21 points, including a career-high five made 3-pointers. Callahan followed closely behind with a career-high 19 points. Burks and Callahan led the maroon and gray with seven rebounds and three assists apiece.
NCCU constructed a 23-16 advantage through 10 minutes of play by making half of its shots in the first quarter. The Eagles also drilled a trio of 3-pointers during a 15-4 run that put the visitors ahead for good, including a pair of treys by Burks.
Chicago State closed to within two points on three occasions in the second period, including as late as 29-27, before NCCU rattled off 13 consecutive points to pull its lead back out to double digits at halftime. Burks hit two more 3-pointers in a 20 second stretch during that run to help fly the Eagles out to a 44-31 advantage at the midway mark.
Burks led all players at the intermission with 14 points, featuring a sizzling 4 of 6 shooting accuracy from behind the arc.
The Cougars were able to inch within seven points, 59-52, at the end of the third quarter and then got as close as five points in the fourth quarter, but 10 second-half points by Callahan helped NCCU stay in front throughout the second half.
Burks finished off her 21-point performance with two made free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
Sophomore
Aniya Finger and freshman
Jerni Kiaku both added nine points and five rebounds.
All nine Eagles that played scored and NCCU finished with a 43-36 rebounding edge.
Josie Hill led the Cougars with a double-double that included 13 points and 10 rebounds.
NC Central will next play at University of Memphis on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST).
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
