WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – North Carolina Central gave Power Four program Wake Forest a major scare before falling 68-65 in a women's basketball non-conference game at LJVM Coliseum on Thursday.

The Eagles, trailing 67-65, had possession with 18.3 seconds left but committed a turnover. The Demon Deacons of the ACC made 1 of 2 free throws with four seconds remaining to hold off a scrappy NCCU squad, who rallied from an 18-point deficit in the third quarter.

Morgan Callahan led the Eagles with 19 points and 12 rebounds, her second double-double in five games and 21^st of her career. Tierney Coleman and Nia Young both came off the bench to score 15 points and 13 points, respectively.

The Eagles were outscored 27-15 in the first quarter but used their superior quickness to win the last three quarters, outscoring Wake 50-41. They opened the second quarter with a 13-0 run to take their first lead, 28-27, on two Callahan free throws. Coleman scored eight points during the surge including two three-pointers.

Callahan made two more from the charity stripe to put NCCU in front again 30-29. Wake responded with a 13-1 run including 11 straight points for a 42-31 halftime lead.

The Deacs' lead ballooned to 53-35 midway in the third quarter but the Eagles were not done. Young scored 12 second-half points and Callahan added seven to spark a comeback.

Najah Lane canned a short jumper to get the Eagles within 58-54 in the fourth quarter but Wake Forest extended the margin to 65-54 with a little under five minutes left. The Eagles rallied again, this time slicing the deficit to 67-65 on Aniya Finger's steal and layup with 31 seconds remaining before falling in the final seconds.

Once again, the NCCU bench - led by Coleman and Young – came through as the reserves outscored Wake's bench 37-18. The Deacs scored more points in the paint 42-24 but the Eagles' speed offset Wake's height.

NCCU tallied more turnover points (26-20) and recorded 13 steals, including four by Finger. The Eagles also boasted a higher shooting percentage (41.1 to 39.7).

HEAD COACH TERRENCE BAXTER QUOTE
"I am proud of my ladies tonight. They fought, they fought, they fought. To lose to Wake Forest by three and have the ball in your hands to win the game, you can't ask for more as a coach. We are coming together. We are believing we can win."

NEXT UP
The Eagles are back on the road Sunday, Nov. 23, against Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va. Game time is 2 p.m.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.