DURHAM, N.C. – Morgan Callahan scored 18 points and added seven rebounds and four blocks but North Carolina Central couldn't overcome an early second-half spurt by Coppin State in a 63-53 women's basketball loss at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday.

The Eagles (3-5 MEAC, 6-17 overall) fell into a fifth-place tie in the MEAC standings with six regular-season games left. Coppin State (6-2 MEAC, 15-9 overall) remained in third place.

The Eagles trailed 28-27 at halftime but Coppin State opened the third period on an 8-2 run for a 36-29 lead. The margin reached eight before the Eagles rallied in the fourth period. They pulled within two points twice, the last time at 49-47 on a coast-to-coast layup by Shakiria Foster off her rebound.

That was as close as the Eagles would get. Coppin State outscored NCCU 14-6 in the final four minutes. 

Coppin State sealed the game on a three-pointer for a 59-51 lead with 22 seconds left. An official blew an inadvertent whistle on the shot attempt but after a lengthy discussion, the officials ruled the three-pointer counted before the shot clock expired.

"We came out dragging our feet in the third [period]," NCCU Head Coach Terrence Baxter said. "We didn't execute on offense; we weren't playing defense and Coppin State made shots and lived at the foul line at the beginning of the third period. That's what gave Coppin State its lead. We've got to come out ready."

Callahan is 24 points away from scoring 1,000 points in her collegiate career. She reached the 600-rebound career milestone this season.

Kyla Bryant added 11 points and seven rebounds while Dianna Blake registered 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. Blake, who missed six games due to injury, was a much needed inside presence for the Eagles, who outscored Coppin State 44-22 in the paint.

"Once we started going inside, our shooters were open," Blake said.

The Eagles limited Coppin State to 31.8 percent shooting and forced 21 turnovers. But NCCU's defense and the scoring of inside players Callahan, Blake, Jada Tiggett and Jada Creech was not enough to pull out a win.

NCCU was outrebounded 52-34 and committed 16 turnovers. The Eagles shot 50 percent from the free throw line (7 of 14) and were 0 of 9 beyond the three-point arc.

"I wouldn't bet on us going 0-9 too many times the rest of the year," Baxter said.

Laila Lawrence recorded 20 points and 18 rebounds for Coppin State, which grabbed 22 offensive rebounds. Angel Jones added 10 points, four rebounds, five assists and six steals.

Callahan established herself in the first half, scoring 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting while adding two blocks and three assists. She scored five points and Bryant and Creech both added four points during a 13-0 spurt between the first and second periods that put the Eagles ahead 17-10.

Coppin State responded with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 17-17. The visitors outscored the Eagles 18-12 in the second period to take a slim 27-26 halftime lead.

NCCU returns to action Monday against Morgan State inside McDougald-McLendon Arena at 5:30 p.m. ESPN+ will livestream the MEAC tilt.

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