BALTIMORE, Md. – The North Carolina Central University women's basketball team had a potential game-tying 3-pointer get blocked in the final 20 seconds before Morgan State University sealed a 62-57 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win with two made free throws on Saturday afternoon inside Hill Field House.
The Bears led for most of the contest, but a 3-pointer by NCCU junior
Diamond Thomas pulled the visitors within three points with under three minutes left in regulation. Sophomore
Paris McBride followed with a pair of made free throws a minute later to inch the Eagles within one, 58-57, with 1:53 showing on the clock.
NCCU got the ball back again with a chance to take the lead, but a turnover helped Morgan State extend its lead. Senior Ashia McCalla was able to score a third-chance layup off MSU's second straight offensive rebound on that ensuring possession to regain a three-point cushion as time ticked under 30 seconds.
The Eagles attempted a potential game-tying trey from the right wing, but McCalla looked to have blocked the shot and NCCU was then forced to foul after the Bears got the defensive rebound. Senior Khaliah Hines made the two freebees from the charity stripe with 11.1 ticks on the clock to finish off Morgan State's fourth straight win.
McCalla led the victors with a game-high 21 points.
Thomas paced the maroon and gray with 20 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Junior
Kira Lowery deposited 13 points and sophomore
Tianna Carter added 11 points before fouling out. Senior
Ashlyn Lockard had a team-best seven rebounds.
Morgan State (11-6 Overall, 5-2 MEAC) jumped out a 23-14 lead after the first quarter, but NCCU closed the gap to 36-30 at halftime and 46-43 heading into the fourth quarter after outscoring the Bears by three points each of those periods. MSU held a single-digit edge throughout the fourth quarter despite the Eagles closing the gap to one point on three different occasions.
NC Central (3-15, 1-7) will conclude play in Baltimore with a MEAC clash at Coppin State University on Monday at 4 p.m.
