North Carolina Central was still looking for its first win in MEAC women’s basketball action when unbeaten Maryland Eastern Shore visited Durham Monday afternoon.
All the Eagles needed was a Finger to end the Hawks’ undefeated start.
Grad student forward Aniya Finger compiled a monster double-double – 30 points and 12 rebounds – as the Eagles handed UMES their first conference loss, 69-62.
The win was also Central’s first in MEAC play, making their conference record 1-4 and their overall record 4-14.
UMES (12-11 overall, 5-1 MEAC) led by as many as 13 points (30-17) after a Dayshawna Carter jumper four minutes into the second quarter, but NCCU ended the first half on a 17-5 run to pull within a point (35-34) at the half.
Grad student forward Morgan Callahan (14 points) gave Central the lead for good on a bucket in close with two minutes left in the third. Finger opened a 53-47 advantage for Central with a three-pointer with 40 seconds left in the third.
The Eagles outscored Eastern Shore 16-15 in the fourth quarter for the final margin of victory.
Brianna Barnes led Maryland Eastern Shore with 15 points, while Desi Taylor and Ashanti Lynch added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
