DURHAM, N.C. – Morgan Callahan scored 13 points and Najah Lane added 11 points for North Carolina Central in a hard-fought 69-61 women's basketball loss to Howard at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday.

The Eagles connected on 7 of 16 three-point attempts for a season-high 43.8 percent to stay in striking distance. Tierney Coleman and Nia Young hit consecutive three-pointers to tie the score at 61-61 but Howard finished with an 8-0 run in the final two minutes.

The Bison grabbed two offensive rebounds during one possession that resulted in a free throw for a 64-61 lead with 46 seconds remaining.

Aysia Hinton added nine points, Amaya Harris scored eight points and Natalie Jasper and Nia Young both contributed seven points for the Eagles (3-14, 0-4 MEAC), seeking their first conference win this season. Hinton knocked down three three-pointers in the contest.

NCCU trailed 35-30 in the third quarter but recovered to take its first lead at 37-35 on Callahan's layup. Hinton's three-pointer padded the lead to 40-35 before the quarter ended tied at 48-48. The Bison (13-7, 3-1 MEAC), favored to win the conference, opened a 58-51 fourth-quarter lead before the Eagles rallied to knot the score.

Hinton and Harris each scored six points in the first half for the Eagles, who climbed back in the game after falling behind 8-0. Hinton jumpstarted the offense with two three-pointers as NCCU pulled within 10-8.

The Bison pushed its lead to six points in the second quarter but Madjiguene Pene scored three points to get NCCU within 31-28 at halftime. The Eagles connected on 3 of 6 from long-range for 50 percent in the first half.

NCCU outshot Howard 43.1 percent to 36.7 percent and outscored the Bison 28-26 in the paint and 23-18 in bench points. But the Eagles committed 26 turnovers which led to 21 Howard points and were outrebounded 42-32. NCCU was outscored 18-2 in second chance points.

NCCU is 0-4 in the MEAC for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
 
NEXT UP
The Eagles are back at home against Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m.

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