NORFOLK, Va. – Junior guard Janiah Jones scored a team-high 11 points to highlight play for third-seed North Carolina Central University in a 69-56 semifinals loss to second-seeded Howard University at the 2024 MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament inside the Norfolk Scope Arena on Friday afternoon.
 
NC Central exits the MEAC tourney with winning 16-15 overall record, which stands as NCCU's first winning season since joining league at the NCAA Division I level in 2011-12. Under the leadership of interim head coach Terrence Baxter, the Eagles also set a new modern era record for wins in a season (16).
 
Jones swished three 3-pointers on the way to her 11 points. She was the only Eagle to score in double digits in both of NCCU's games during the MEAC Tournament.
 
Redshirt junior Morgan Callahan once again flirted with a double-double, recording 10 points and nine rebounds. Senior Kimeira Burks and freshman Kyla Bryant each netted six points with Bryant pulling down seven rebounds and Burks securing six boards. Senior Tippy Robertson led NCCU with five assists.
 
A trio of Eagles drilled 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes of play, but the Bison forced the Eagles into seven turnovers while only committing two of their own mistakes to pull out to a 21-15 advantage after one quarter of play.
 
Senior Kaiya Creek scored eight points in the second quarter and NCCU committed nine more turnovers in that period to help keep the Bison ahead, 34-27, at halftime. Creek led all players at the midway break with 13 of her 19 points.
 
The Eagles pulled within five points a couple times early in the third quarter on baskets by Callahan and junior Nijah Cunningham, but Howard went on a 14-4 run to pull out to a 15-point cushion. Jones banked in a running fastbreak 3-pointer at the buzzer to close NCCU within 12 points, 50-38, heading into the fourth quarter but the Bison never relinquished the league in securing the 12-point victory.
 
Senior Iyanna Warren scored a game-high 23 points that featured 11 made free throws. Howard (15-15) will play in the MEAC championship game against top-seed Norfolk State University on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
NCCU committed 10 more turnovers than Howard (25-15) in suffering its first loss to the Bison this season. The Eagles were also whistled for 30 fouls compared to just 18 by Howard, leading to the Bison shooting 37 free throws. NCCU only attempted 11 free throws.
 
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