DURHAM, N.C. – Led by five double-figure scorers, North Carolina Central rolled past Johnson C. Smith 99-73 in its women's basketball home opener at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Wednesday.
NCCU evened its record at 1-1 as
Olivia Gaines collected her first victory as Eagles' head coach. The non-conference contest counted for the Eagles but was an exhibition game for the Division II Golden Bulls.
The home-opening win was NCCU's first since 2022 and eighth as a Division I program. Ironically, the Golden Bulls were also the opponent when NCCU won its last home opener.
Aysia Hinton scored 24 points on 9 of 13 shooting, including 5 of 8 from three-point range, while
Victoria Morris added a career-high 21 points with eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Eagles, who defeated the Golden Bulls for the fifth straight time.
Eboni Clay poured in 17 points while
Shrouq Amer posted 10 points and 12 rebounds for her first double-double in just her second game at NCCU.
Chloe Crawford chipped in 10 points on 5 of 10 shooting for the Eagles, who shot 46.6 percent from the field including 41.4 percent behind the three-point arc.
The last time five NCCU players reached double figures was last season in a 103-51 win over William Peace on Feb. 3, 2026.
Morris scored 17 points and Hinton added 14 points in the first half as the Eagles spurted out to a 9-0 lead and built a 56-31 halftime advantage. NCCU shot 55.6 percent in the opening 20 minutes while Johnson C. Smith, led by former Eagles Head Coach Vanessa Taylor, connected on just 33.3 percent of its shots and committed 13 turnovers.
The Golden Bulls finished with 21 turnovers and misfired from long range, making 3 of 15 three-point attempts for 20 percent.
The matchup renewed a rivalry that dates back to NCCU's days as a Division II member of the CIAA, where Johnson C. Smith still competes. The Eagles hold a 31-29 edge in the series.
UP NEXT
The Eagles hit the road to face UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
