DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central will conclude its three-game homestand against College of Charleston at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m. The matchup, which will be livestreamed on ESPN+, will be the first game of an NCCU men's and women's basketball doubleheader.
The Eagles (1-2) enter the non-conference contest with momentum after topping UNC Asheville 66-63 last Thursday at home for their season's first win. They were led by the inside tandem of
Morgan Callahan and
Aniya Finger, who both registered double-doubles to power the Eagles.
Finger produced 17 points and 10 rebounds and Callahan, the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, added 13 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high six steals for the Eagles, who pulled away from UNCA with an 18-7 run in the final five minutes.
Finger leads the Eagles in scoring at 12.7 points a clip and guard
Aysia Hinton, who leads the MEAC in three-pointers made per game (3), averages 10.0 points. Callahan, named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, is among the league leaders in rebounds per game at 7.3.
Transfer guard
Najah Lane is already making an impact for NCCU. She is tied for the league lead in assists per game (4.3) and ranks second in the conference in free throw shooting (.944).
NCCU is expected to face a stiff test from College of Charleston, who is unbeaten after three games. Favored to win the CAA in the preseason poll, the Cougars are sparked by guard Taryn Barbot, the two-time Preseason CAA Player of the Year who is on the Becky Hammon Preseason Watch List for Mid-Major Player of the Year.
Taryn Barbot, who has already recorded a triple-double this season, ranks second in the nation in points per game (28.3). Her twin sister Taylor Barbot is third in the country in assists per game (9.3) and Graze Ezebilo leads the nation in rebounds per game (14.0).
Last season, both teams squared off in Charleston, S.C., with the Cougars winning 84-54 to extend their record 4-0 in the season series.
NCCU is aiming for a different outcome on Tuesday.
