DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University senior guard Tippy Robertson scored a team-high 13 points on her Senior Day, but visiting University of Maryland Eastern Shore was able to secure a 71-64 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory inside McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
Six Eagles were recognized before the game during NCCU's Senior Day presentation. The maroon and gray student-athletes distinguished were Robertson, guard Kimeira Burks, guard Kimia Carter, forward Morgan Callahan, forward Sydney Avoletta and injured forward Aniya Finger.
 
Robertson (13 points), Callahan (12) and Burks (10) all scored in double digits and Carter just missed that mark with nine points. Callahan was one rebound shy of her ninth double-double with a game-high nine boards.
 
Freshman Kyla Bryant filled up the box score with eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals while junior center Nijah Cunningham supplied six points and a game-high four blocks.
 
UMES (13-12 Overall, 6-4 MEAC) led for most of the first half as NCCU committed 11 turnovers to just four by the Hawks. The visitors led 24-19 after the first quarter and then doubled up that five-point advantage to 10 points, 45-35, at halftime with sophomore Zamara Haynes and junior Mya Thomas each scoring 11 points in the first half.
 
The Eagles were able to close within four points, 55-51, at the end of the third quarter with Cunningham converting on a three-point play to cap NCCU's rally. However, UMES scored the first six points of the fourth quarter and then were able to hang on from there.
 
NCCU inched within two possessions on three occasions in the final quarter, but the Hawks seemed to have the answer each time. Thomas topped UMES with 15 points while Haynes finished with 13 points.
 
In a battle between two similar up-tempo teams who are now tied in the league standings, Eastern Shore just edged NCCU in most statistical categories in the seven-point win. The Hawks shot 41.8 percent from the field compared to 38.3 percent by the Eagles while making twice as many 3-pointers (6 to 3). UMES also finished with a 40-37 rebounding advantage and committed four less turnovers (21-17).
 
NC Central (12-13, 6-4) will next host Delaware State University on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
 
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