NCCU Eagles Rally to Top DSU Hornets in MEAC Opener

DOVER, Delaware — Sophomore Paulina Afriyie and freshman Kieche White were instrumental in rallying North Carolina Central University from a 21-point, second-half deficit and secure a 74-67 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) women's basketball road win at Delaware State University on Wednesday evening in Memorial Hall Gym.

Afriyie recorded her fourth double-double, including a career-high 22 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. White tallied a career-high 20 points, canning five 3-pointers in the process, while adding three steals.

The Eagles trailed 48-27 at the 7:41 mark of the third quarter before outscoring the Hornets 47-19 from that point. DSU continued to lead 59-54 just over five minutes left before NCCU finished on a 20-8 surge. The final flurry included nine points by White and seven by Afriyie.

A pair of free throws by MEAC Preseason Player of the Year NaJai Pollard gave the hosts their last lead of 63-62 with 2:31 on the clock. White responded with a layup on the Eagles next possession that ignited a decisive 11-0 run. White capped that outburst with a dagger three-pointer from the left wing.

The Eagles shot 66.7-percent (8-12) from the floor and 81.8% (9-11) from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to complete the improbable comeback.

NCCU (3-11 Overall, 1-0 MEAC) snapped an eight-game losing streak. Delaware State (1-13, 0-1) has lost nine consecutive games.

The maroon and gray only had six scorers, with each playing a big part in the triumph.

Junior Sami Oliver-Alexander hit a trio of treys for nine points. Her third trifecta started the NCCU comeback when the Eagles were trailing by 21 points. Classmate Deja McCain supplied season-best totals of nine points and seven rebounds, with seven of her points coming after the intermission. Fellow juniors Caira Benton and Rodneysha Martin tacked on 10 and four points, respectively. Benton was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter while Martin made a big fast-break layup down the stretch.

The Eagles flew out to a 12-8 lead with the help of two baskets by Afriyie and a pair of three-pointers by Oliver-Alexander. However, DSU outscored NCCU 9-0 from that point to build a 17-12 edge after one quarter.

The Hornets shot 47.1-percent from the field in the first half while holding the Eagles to just 28.6% to double up their lead, 33-23, at halftime. Benton hit a pair of 15-foot jumpers to pull NCCU within six at 27-21, but Delaware State score six of the final eight points heading into the loc
ker room. The run was finished off with a transition five-footer by junior Arion Jackson at the buzzer off an Eagle turnover.

NCCU committed 14 turnovers in the first 20 minutes that led to 10 extra points at the intermission, which was the DSU cushion. The Hornets started the third quarter on a 15-4 run to build their 21-point advantage. However, NCCU only committed seven turnovers in the second half and forced DSU into 17 second-half mistakes that aided the rally.

Pollard returned from a six-game absence to lead the Hornets with 21 points. Jackson and freshman Ryan Jones each bucketed 12 points for the hosts.

NCCU returns home to host MEAC foe Norfolk State University on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS