BALTIMORE, Md. – North Carolina Central took the lead after a 13-point second-half deficit but faltered down the stretch in a 69-66 loss to Coppin State in the MEAC basketball opener at the Physical Education Complex Arena on Saturday.

The loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Eagles, who had defeated Coppin State in their four previous meetings. The Eagles nearly extended their streak after a second-half comeback.

Led by standouts Morgan Callahan and Kyla Bryant, the Eagles erased a 51-38 third period deficit. Callahan scored 13 points during a 28-11 run between the third and fourth periods capped by Bryant's back-to-back three-pointers and a layup for a 66-62 lead in the fourth period. It was the first time the Eagles led in the contest. 

However, Coppin State tied the game at 66-66 with under two minutes remaining and scored the eventual game-winning three by Cire Worley on their next possession with 1:07 left after an Eagles turnover. NCCU committed a foul and misfired on a three-pointer in their last two possessions.

Callahan posted a double-double of 20 points, one off her career high, and 13 rebounds for the Eagles (2-13 overall). Bryant nearly collected a double-double with 17 points and nine assists in addition to three steals. Shakiria Foster contributed 10 points, six rebounds and three steals and Jada Tiggett had seven points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

NCCU relied on 52 percent shooting in the third period and a 12-4 rebounding advantage in the fourth period to claw back in the game. The Eagles also held Laila Lawrence, the MEAC's leading scorer and rebounder, to 13 points and five rebounds. Lawrence averaged over 18 points and 10 rebounds entering the conference opener. 

But Angel Jones nearly produced a triple-double for Coppin State (10-7 overall), finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Tiffany Hammond added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists, including a pass to Worley for the game-deciding corner three-pointer with a little over a minute left.

The Eagles fell behind 18-7 early but closed within five in the second period before trailing 40-32 at the half. The margin stretched to double digits in the third period before the Eagles made their second-half push.

NCCU will stay in Baltimore for an MEAC game against Morgan State on Monday, Jan. 6. ESPN+ will livestream the contest, which tips off at 5:30 p.m.