NCCU Women’s Hoops Stumbles Again at UMES, Extends Road Losing Streak

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Wednesday night, the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) women’s basketball team extended its winless streak at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), falling 67-57 at Hytche Center. The Eagles remain without a road win at UMES in 13 attempts dating back to 2007.

Kyla Bryant led NCCU with 12 points, while Morgan Callaghan recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Shakiria Foster contributed 10 points and three steals, and Aysia Hinton provided a spark from beyond the arc, knocking down three of her six three-point attempts to finish with nine points.

With the loss, NCCU (8-18, 5-6 MEAC) and UMES (10-16, 5-6 MEAC) are now tied for fourth place in the MEAC standings, with just three regular-season games remaining before the conference tournament tips off on March 12 in Norfolk, Va.

The Eagles found themselves in an early hole and never recovered, trailing 26-11 after the first quarter. The deficit grew to 20 points in the second period before NCCU showed some fight late in the game.

A 10-0 fourth-quarter run, capped by a layup from Bryant, trimmed the UMES lead to just five at 51-46. However, the Hawks responded with a 16-11 surge down the stretch to secure the victory.

Callaghan, who recently surpassed 1,000 career points, notched her seventh double-double of the season. Dianna Blake added seven points and four rebounds, while Tierney Coleman finished with six points.

Despite outshooting UMES from the field (35.7% to 33.8%), the Eagles were outmatched on the glass, with the Hawks holding a dominant 55-35 rebounding advantage. Second-chance points also proved costly, as UMES outscored NCCU 21-7 in that category and controlled the paint with a 36-22 scoring edge.

Ashanti Lynch led UMES with 17 points and nine rebounds, playing a key role in keeping the Eagles at bay in the final minutes.

NCCU had opportunities at the free throw line but struggled, converting just 11 of 22 attempts.

Initially scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, the game was rescheduled to Wednesday due to projected weather conditions.

The Eagles now return home for their final two regular-season games at McDougald-McLendon Arena, hosting Howard on Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m., followed by a matchup against Norfolk State on Monday, March 3, at 5:30 p.m.

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Photo: NCCU Athletics/Kevin L. Dorsey