Aniya Finger vs. Coppin State 2026
Doug Burt
Aniya Finger Posted Her Fifth Double-Double In Nine Games
55
N.C. Central NCCU 8-18,4-8 MEAC
58
Winner UMES UMES 16-13,9-3 MEAC
N.C. Central NCCU
8-18,4-8 MEAC
55
Final
58
UMES UMES
16-13,9-3 MEAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
N.C. Central NCCU 11 15 17 12 55
UMES UMES 18 9 9 22 58

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

Strong Defensive Effort Not Enough as Eagles Fall at UMES 58-55

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Aniya Finger totaled 13 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double and Natalie Jasper added 12 points but North Carolina Central succumbed to a late Maryland Eastern Shore rally in a 58-55 MEAC women's basketball loss at Hytche Athletic Center on Thursday.

In a game full of runs in the fourth quarter, UMES made the final push which cost the Eagles, who limited the Hawks to 25.9 percent shooting from the floor. It is the second lowest percentage for UMES this season.

Keyed by their defense, the Eagles overcame a nine-point first-quarter deficit for a 43-36 third quarter lead, holding UMES to nine points in each of the second and third quarters. The Hawks regrouped in the fourth quarter and outscored NCCU 22-12.

UMES (9-3 MEAC, 16-13 overall) opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run to re-take the lead at 44-43. With the score tied at 45-45, the Hawks went on another run – scoring nine straight points - to lead 54-45 midway in the quarter.

The Eagles (4-8 MEAC, 8-18 overall) climbed back in the game within a three-minute span. Dianna Blake scored six points during a 10-0 run including back-to-back layups as NCCU regained the lead at 55-54. Just when it appeared NCCU had momentum, UMES scored the last four points of game.

With the score tied 55-55, the Eagles committed a turnover and UMES converted 1 of 2 free throws for a one-point lead. After a missed NCCU layup, the Hawks tacked on two free throws in the final seconds. The loss extended the Eagles' losing skid at UMES to 14 in the Division I era. The teams split the regular-season series.

Finger posted her sixth double-double this season and five in the last nine games. Jasper scored in double figures for the third straight game and fifth in six contests.

Morgan Callahan added seven points and nine rebounds and Tierney Coleman added seven points for the Eagles, who outscored UMES in the paint 30-22 and forced 23 turnovers while committing 24.

NCCU shot 35.1 percent from the floor and 13 of 23 from the free throw line for 56.5 percent. The Hawks shot poorly from the floor but hit 26 of 35 free throws for 74.3 percent.

NEXT UP
The Eagles visit Delaware State on Saturday, Feb. 28, in their last regular-season away game. Tipoff is 2 p.m.

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