Natalie Jasper vs. Coppin State (Home) 2026
Doug Burt
Natalie Jasper Poured In A Career-High 18 Points
58
N.C. Central NCCU 8-17,4-7 MEAC
66
Winner Howard HOW 20-7,10-1 MEAC
N.C. Central NCCU
8-17,4-7 MEAC
58
Final
66
Howard HOW
20-7,10-1 MEAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
N.C. Central NCCU 8 12 18 20 58
Howard HOW 18 12 20 16 66

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | NCCU Athletic Communications

Eagles’ Late Surge Falls Short Against Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Natalie Jasper scored a career-high 18 points as North Carolina Central made a late push before falling 66-58 to Howard in MEAC women's basketball action at Burr Gymnasium on Saturday.

Jasper was 4 of 8 from the floor and a perfect 10 of 10 for the free throw line while adding three steals. Tierney Coleman added 14 points and seven steals and Aniya Finger had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Eagles.

Jasper scored eight points and Coleman added seven in the fourth quarter for the Eagles, who cut a 14-point deficit to three on a 17-6 run. Coleman capped the spurt with a steal and layup with 2:30 remaining to pull the Eagles within 57-54.

A free throw by Finger cut the deficit to three again at 58-55 with 1:29 left. Howard missed two free throws on the ensuing possession but an offensive rebound led to a jumper for a 60-55 Bison lead. The basket started a 6-0 run for Howard which put the game away.

The contest was similar to an earlier meeting between both teams last month. NCCU rallied to tie the game at home against the conference leaders with two minutes left, but Howard scored the final eight points for the win in January.

On Saturday, the Bison raced to an 18-8 first-quarter lead, and the margin hovered between six and 12 points through three quarters as both teams traded baskets. Defense keyed the Eagles during their late comeback as they forced Howard to commit 10 of its season-high 28 turnovers in the final quarter. The Bison leads the MEAC in fewest turnovers per game (14.5).

Coleman and Jasper combined for 10 of the Eagles' 16 steals overall, their third highest team total this season. Najah Lane and Finger had two steals apiece.

But the Eagles, ranked 15th nationally in forced turnovers per game, couldn't capitalize as they turned the ball over 23 times and shot 33.3 percent from the floor including 3 of 15 from three-point range. Howard was 35.7 percent from the floor and only connected on 3 of 11 from beyond the arc.

NEXT UP
The Eagles continue their four-game road swing against Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m.

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