DURHAM, N.C. – Head Coach Terrence Baxter is returning to his alma mater for a visit on Thursday, Jan. 23.

North Carolina Central takes a break from MEAC action to face Pfeiffer in a women's basketball contest in Misenheimer, N.C. at 6 p.m. Baxter, the Eagles' leader, is a Hall of Famer at Pfeiffer after an illustrious career as a basketball student-athlete.

"It is going to be exciting," Baxter said. "I actually live right down the street from the school. It is always good to come home. It was a house that was built before I got there but I helped put another layer on it. It is always going to be home to me."

Baxter starred as a guard, helping the Falcons win two conference titles and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. A two-time all-conference player, Baxter was an assistant coach at his alma mater in 2006 and was later inducted into the Pfeiffer Hall of Fame in 2017.

Baxter has great memories of his playing days at Pfeiffer but make no mistake – this is a business trip for Baxter and his NCCU players, who are seeking to extend their two-game win streak. The contest will count towards the Eagles' win-loss record but is an exhibition game for Pfeiffer, now a Division III school.

"I pass it every day," said Baxter about Pfeiffer. "I felt in tune to give back. But we are going in there to get a win and get up out of there. That's for sure."

The game will be a homecoming of sorts for four Eagles as well. Sophomore guard Kyla Bryant is from nearby Salisbury, N.C., and sophomore forward Jada Creech, graduate forward Aniya Finger and senior forward Nijah Cunningham are from Charlotte, N.C.

Bryant is on a roll, winning MEAC Player of the Week twice in January. She leads all MEAC players with a 23.3-point average in conference matchups. Overall, the standout guard averages 14.4 points and nearly four assists per game. Graduate forward Morgan Callahan averages 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Freshman guard Shakiria Foster scores at 11.6 points a clip and sophomore guard Aysia Hinton contributes 7.0 points a game. Sophomore guard/forward Jada Tiggett, named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, averages 1.5 blocks.

Pfeiffer (6-8 overall) is led by Alexis Bynum (12.6 ppg) and Ava Hairston (12.4 ppg). The Falcons are coming off an 83-54 road victory against William Peace on Tuesday.

After a brutal non-conference schedule which included national powers LSU and Tennessee, the NCCU women are hitting their stride. The Eagles (2-2 MEAC, 4-14 overall) defeated Maryland Eastern Shore 92-86 in two overtimes and Delaware State 76-71 at home in their last two games.

Baxter will step inside Pfeiffer's Merner Gymnasium with pleasant thoughts of his basketball achievements at his alma mater. He wants to leave with a smile after an NCCU victory in Thursday's game.
 
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