DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central will look to regroup from a slow start in MEAC play against Howard at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. The women's basketball contest will be livestreamed on ESPN+.

The Eagles (3-13, 0-3 MEAC) return home after falling to Morgan State and Coppin State in Baltimore last weekend. They are seeking their first conference victory after three games.

The contest is the first of three consecutive at home for NCCU. Two of its three wins this season have taken place in front of their fans at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

NCCU looks to right the ship against the team favored to win the MEAC this season. But Howard (12-7, 2-1 MEAC) is 6-7 away from home including a 62-56 defeat to Maryland Eastern Shore last Saturday. All seven of its losses have been on the road.

Saturday's matchup features two of the top forwards in the MEAC – Morgan Callahan of NCCU and Zennia Thomas of Howard. Both players, named preseason All-MEAC, rank among the conference's top five in scoring and top three in rebounding.

Callahan, named the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, has had her best games against Howard during her stellar career. She has averaged a double-double of 10.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in seven games versus the Bison.

The NCCU forward has been cooking as of late. Callahan averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds and three steals and shot 70.8 percent on 17 of 24 shooting in two games in Baltimore last week.

Thomas, the league's scoring and rebounding leader, averaged 16 points and 9.5 rebounds in two meetings against NCCU last season.

All eyes will be on the frontcourt but the backcourt could very well decide the outcome. In conference play, Howard (first) and NCCU (second) are the two best MEAC teams in turnover margin. Overall, the Eagles lead the MEAC and rank 17^th nationally in forcing turnovers (22.88). They are also 47^th nationally in collecting steals (10.9) and 54^th in bench points (24.9).

NCCU will rely on its inside game featuring Callahan in addition to defense and depth to knock off Howard and avoid a 0-4 start for the first time since its first two seasons in the MEAC (2012-13 and 2011-12).

The Eagles will also attempt to stop a three-game losing streak to the Bison after winning the three previous tilts in the series.

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