CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina Central opened the women's basketball season by dropping a non-conference game to nationally-ranked North Carolina at Carmichael Auditorium on Monday morning.

Despite the 90-42 score, the Eagles took away some positives from the contest. Their defense forced 19 UNC turnovers and the bench – led by nine points from Aysia Hinton – scored 29 of NCCU's 42 points.

NCCU Head Coach Terrence Baxter says playing non-conference squads such as 11^th-ranked UNC will prepare his team for MEAC play, which starts in January 2026.

NCCU HEAD COACH QUOTE
"We really have a chance to do something special if we lock in to what we want to do," Baxter said. "I'm proud of my team. I know we can score inside. We showed that today. We got to be more disciplined in the little things."

RECORDS
NCCU – 0-1 overall
North Carolina – 1-0 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED
North Carolina raced out to a 23-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. At halftime, the Eagles trailed 53-21 as they were outscored 18-0 in fast-break points. NCCU tightened up defensively in the second half and held UNC to three fast-break points.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Aysia Hinton scored nine points on three 3-pointers.
• Morgan Callahan had six points and seven rebounds.
• Amaya Harris scored six points.
• Shakiria Foster collected five points and five rebounds.

NOTES

• NCCU assistant coach Paris Kea was a first-team All-ACC player at UNC in 2019 before embarking on a professional career in the WNBA.
• This was the ninth meeting between NCCU and UNC.

NEXT UP
The Eagles host UNC Wilmington in their home opener at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Friday, Nov. 7, at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.