DURHAM, N.C. – Freshman guard
Diamond Thomas scored a game-high 23 points while both senior forward
Ashlyn Lockard and freshman guard
Nia Ford reached double-digit points for host North Carolina Central University, but University of Maryland Eastern Shore used late runs in each half to secure a 77-64 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win on Monday evening inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.
Thomas scored in double figures for a 12th consecutive outing and reached the 20-plus point plateau for a fifth time this season with her game-high 23 points. She also had three assists.
Lockard followed with 11 points and Ford posted 10 points. Junior
Kira Lowery added eight points and team-high totals of six rebounds and three steals.
NCCU jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first half, but Eastern Shore closed the half on a 25-9 run to rally for a 40-36 lead at halftime. The Eagles constructed that early advantage by shooting 58.8-percent in the first quarter. However, NCCU only made one shot in the second quarter and was held to just 9.1-percent shooting over that span to allow the Hawks to comeback.
The only maroon and gray field goal of the second quarter came on an old-fashion three-point play by Lockard in the first minute of the period to lift NCCU to its largest lead of 27-15. The Eagles then missed its last nine shots from the floor in the half. NCCU did made 10-of-11 free throws in the period to stay within four points at the midway point.
Lockard scored 10 of her 11 points in the first 20 minutes.
Thomas drilled a pull-up jumper with 7:08 left in the third quarter to tie the score and two minutes later sophomore forward
Tianna Carter provided NCCU with its last lead, 46-44, by making two free throws at the 5:05 mark. However, the Hawks scored the next six points to regain the lead for good and they took a 56-49 edge into the fourth quarter.
Thomas completed another NCCU three-point play that pulled the Eagles within two possessions for the only time in the fourth quarter, 62-56, with 4:26 left in regulation. Eastern Shore was able to respond with a couple consecutive baskets off NCCU turnovers before securing the 13-point triumph.
Freshman center Ariana Seawell led the victors with 16 points and seven rebounds.
The Eagles had their best showing from the free throw line all season, making 20 of their 22 attempts from the charity stripe for a 90.9-percent precision. Thomas led the way by making all seven of her freebee attempts.
Eastern Shore improved to 9-14 on the season and 5-6 in the league with second straight win.
NC Central next visits Howard University in Washington, D.C., for a MEAC showdown on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.
