Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. - In their first of a four-game road swing, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women's Basketball team fell in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener against the North Carolina Central Eagles, 49-46, inside the McDougald-McLendon Arena.

With the setback, UMES dropped to 2-5 (0-1 MEAC) overall and the Eagles moved to 1-5 (1-0 MEAC) on the season.

Maryland Eastern Shore led for more than 32 minutes, but could not close the door as poor free throw shooting and turnovers kept the Eagles in the game. Overall, the Lady Hawks shot nearly 39-percent (7-of-18) from the charity stripe while committing a season-high 23 giveaways.

Despite the result, UMES outscored the Eagles in the paint, 32-26. Forward Alexis Udoji (Randolph, Mass.) was the lone Hawk in double-figures with a season-high 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. Senior guard TeAmber Burke (Washington, N.C.) netted eight points, three boards, and two dimes in a losing effort.

North Carolina Central's Morgan Jones drilled a three-pointer and gave the Eagles an early lead after intermission, 26-25. After a made freebie from Ciani Byrom (Winston-Salem, N.C.), UMES reclaimed the advantage with Udoji's layup, 28-26, at the 6:29 mark. After three quarters, the Lady Hawks held a one-point lead, 34-33.

With less than five minutes left in the final quarter, Maryland Eastern Shore extended their advantage to five points, 44-39, with a Burke jumper. North Carolina Central made one late push as they closed out the game on a 10-2 run to win, 49-46.

Other notable Hawk performances included Byrom and Moengaroa Subritzky (Auckland, New Zealand) finishing with eight points each.

Jones tied the contest, 6-6, but UMES went on a 9-2 spurt to take a seven-point lead, 15-8. After one, the Lady Hawks led, 17-13. Early into the second, center Taryana Kelly (North Brunswick, N.J.) made a layup and gave Maryland Eastern Shore their largest lead of the game, 21-13. At the 5:32 mark before halftime, North Carolina Central trailed, 23-15, and chipped away at the deficit. With more than a minute left, Kristin Askew connected on a jumper to make the halftime score 25-22.

For North Carolina Central, Jones had a game-high 15 points. Chantal Thomas added 11 points while Tisha Dixon registered 10 points and nine rebounds in the win.

On Dec. 7, the Lady Hawks will stay in the Tar Hill state as they travel to Greensboro, N.C. where the North Carolina A&T Aggies, MEAC Preseason Favorite, awaits. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m., followed by the men 30 minutes afterward.

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visitwww.umeshawks.com .