BALTIMORE, Md. – The North Carolina Central University women's basketball took a one-point lead into the final minute of the game, but host Coppin State University scored the final six points of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference clash to prevail 72-67 on Monday evening.
 
Freshman Jerni Kiaku made a pull-up jump shot to put the visiting Eagles ahead by one point, 67-66, heading into the last minute. However, junior guard Mossi Staples sank what proved to be a game-winning 3-pointer on Coppin State's ensuing possession in a seesaw affair that featured nine ties and 12 lead changes.
 
NCCU took potential go-ahead and game-tying 3-point attempts in the final 30 seconds, but both shots missed their marks and CSU hit 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch to seal the five-point triumph.
 
Staples finished with a game-high 26 points as Coppin State (4-12 Overall, 1-0 MEAC) begins league play with a W. Staples also had six rebounds, five assists and four steals.
 
Junior Kimeira Burks led the maroon and gray with 19 points and six rebounds. Burks accounted for four of NCCU's six made 3-pointers and she was a flawless 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
 
Kiaku was the only other NCCU Eagle to score in double digits with 10 points.
 
NCCU outscored the hosts 24-17 in the third quarter to take a 48-46 edge into the last stanza. The two Eagle programs then battled back-and-forth from that point with seven of the 12 lead changes in the contest occurring in the fourth quarter. Kiaku scored six of her 10 points in the final frame, including her shot that put NCCU ahead for a final time as the clock ticked inside 75 seconds.
 
Staples scored 12 of her game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter to help propel the victors, including her go-ahead, second-change trey with 43 seconds left. Sophomore Jewel Watkins (11 points, 8 rebounds) and senior Jalynda Salley (14 points, 7 rebounds) helped CSU to a 45-34 rebounding advantage. Salley accounted for the offensive board and assist on the game-winning trifecta hit by Staples.
 
NCCU once again had balanced scoring with 10 different players getting in the scoring column, including eight points by sophomore Morgan Callahan, seven points by junior Tippy Robertson and six points by both senior Kira Lowery and junior Blessing Okoh.
 
NC Central (6-11 Overall, 0-2 MEAC) will next host South Carolina State University in its MEAC home opener on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m.
 
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.