DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University is ready for Monday's challenge against formidable foe Norfolk State.

The Spartans are the two-time defending champions and a highly-regarded mid major team but the Eagles will enter Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall in Norfolk, Va., on a four-game win streak. ESPN+ will livestream the MEAC women's basketball contest, which starts at a new time of 4 p.m.

A win over the Spartans would be huge for the Eagles, coming off an eight-day break. Norfolk State (19-4 overall, 6-0 MEAC) is ranked seventh in the latest College Insider Mid Major Top 25 poll and have already beaten Power Four schools Missouri and Auburn. They currently sit unbeaten atop the MEAC standings.

NCCU (6-14, 3-2 MEAC).is tied for fourth with Maryland Eastern Shore and is looking to climb up the league standings. Only Norfolk's State eight-game win streak is longer in the conference than the Eagles as of Sunday.

The Eagles played stellar basketball in January, beating Maryland Eastern Shore, Delaware State, Pfeiffer and South Carolina State in succession. One sign the Eagles played outstanding is that four players won a combined seven league player of the week awards.

Sophomore guard Kyla Bryant, freshman guard Shakiria Foster and sophomore guard-forward Jada Tiggett each won two weekly honors. Bryant and Foster were twice named player of the week and rookie of the week, respectively, and Tiggett twice earned defensive player of the week. Graduate forward Morgan Callahan was a defensive player of the week winner.

The Eagles will need the fabulous four and their teammates to knock off Norfolk State. On Saturday, Norfolk State trounced South Carolina State at home 83-37 this past Saturday. The 46-point margin was the second largest for the Spartans this season.

Two names always come up when talking about Norfolk State – point guard Diamond Johnson and forward Kierra Wheeler. Johnson leads the MEAC in scoring (18.4 ppg), assist/turnover ratio (1.8) and steals (3.3) while second in assists (4.4). Wheeler, the MEAC player of the year last season, is among the league's scoring (15.2 ppg) and rebounding (9.4) leaders and is the MEAC's top shot blocker (2.0 bpg).

The Eagles are not daunted by the Spartans' championship resume and their two star players, however. Both Bryant and Callahan are among the MEAC's top 10 scorers and Callahan (13.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg) is one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the conference.  

Callahan is five rebounds away from grabbing 600 career rebounds and needs 66 points to reach the 1,000-career milestone.

Bryant (14.1 ppg, 3.8 apg) is the Eagles' top scorer and ballhandler and part of a sharpshooting trio of guards that includes Foster and sophomore guard Aysia Hinton. Tiggett is a versatile defender and scorer who ranks second in the conference in blocks (1.7). Sophomore forward Jada Creech provides a strong inside presence.

The Eagles have been stellar during their hot streak. They will be raring to go against the two-time league champs.