Games 15
MEAC Quarterfinal
North #2 Morgan State "Lady Bears" (11-3, 8-2 MEAC) vs. South #3 North Carolina Central "Lady Eagles" (4-11, 2-6 MEAC)
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Site: Norfolk, Va. (Norfolk Scope Arena)
Tip-off: 2 p.m.
Series Record: Morgan State leads, 12-5
TV: N/A
Audio: HSRN.com
Live Stream: Flohoops.com
Live Stats: Here
Websites: www.MorganStateBears.com | www.nccueaglepride.com
Gameday: Here
MEAC Tournament Site: Here
 
BALTIMORE, Md. (March 10, 2021)-The Morgan State, the No. 2 seed out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division, begins its quest for the program's first MEAC championship, when it takes on third-seeded Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central out of the MEAC Southern Division in a quarterfinal game on Thursday, March 11. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
 
BEAR CLAWS: Morgan State (11-3, 8-2 MEAC) has not played since Jan. 28, as its regular season finale against Delaware State (3/3-4), got canceled due to health and safety protocols. The Lady Bears enter the MEAC Tournament riding a three-game winning streak, following their sweep of Coppin State (1/27-28). Jayla Atmore came off the bench to score a game-high 19 points and added four rebounds, two steals and an assist in the win over Coppin. Ashia McCalla finished with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, pulled down five rebounds, had two assists and a steal, while Ja'Niah Henson recorded 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal. Morgan State has been paced by Dahnye Redd, who is averaging a team-best 13.4 points per game and also leads the team in rebounding with 7.2 boards per contest. Henson is averaging 11.3 points and leads the squad in assists (42) and steals (25). McCalla is also averaging double figures in scoring at 11.2 points per outing and is second on the team in rebounding (4.5). The Lady Bears are averaging 64.4 points per game and are surrendering 61.1 points per contest.
 
EAGLE SCRATCHES: North Carolina Central (4-11, 2-6 MEAC) is coming off a 65-61 victory over Norfolk State in the season finale in Durham, N.C. (3/4). Anissa Rivera scored a game-high 18 point and pulled down 13 rebounds in the win and had seven steals, also game highs. Necole Hope finished with 15 points and Kiyana Brown added 13, as the Lady Eagles ended a seven-game losing skid. NCCU has been paced by Rivera, who was named this year's MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 16.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and has 46 blocked shots, all team-bests. Hope is adding 10.0 points and shot .841 from the free throw line, while Brown is pulling down 6.1 rebounds per game to go with 7.5 points per outing.   

MORGAN STATE VS. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL SERIES NOTES: Morgan State leads the all-time series, 12-5. The two teams did not meet this season. Morgan State and NCCU last met in Baltimore (2/10/20), an 86-79 victory for the Lady Bears. Morgan State holds a 1-0 lead in the MEAC Tournament. The two have met just once previously in the 2016 MEAC Tournament, as the Lady Bears defeated the Lady Eagles, 52-42 in the first round (3/7/16).
 
NEXT UP: If Morgan State wins, it will face the MEAC's Southern Division No. 1 seed, North Carolina A&T on Friday, March 12 at 2 p.m. at the Norfolk Score Arena.
 
REDD NAMED TO ALL-MEAC FIRST TEAM: Senior guard Dahnye Redd was named to the All-MEAC first team. Redd became the third consecutive first-team selection for Morgan State, joining former Lady Bears Chelsea Mitchell (2020) and Adre'onia Coleman (2019). She started all 13 games she played and led the team in scoring (13.4) and rebounding (7.2). A native of Darby, Pa., Redd shot 40.5 percent (64-of-158) from the floor, while connecting on 4-of-8 (50 percent) from three-point range. Redd, who reached double figures in scoring nine times and rebounding twice, tallied 174 points, 93 rebounds, 17 assists, 16 steals and two blocks. She ended the regular season ranked fourth in the MEAC in offensive rebounding (3.1), sixth in scoring and rebounding, seventh in field goal percentage, eighth in free throw percentage (.750) and 11^th in defensive rebounding (4.1).
 
HENSON EARNS SECOND-TEAM ALL-MEAC HONORS: Sophomore guard Ja'Niah Henson started all 14 games and finished second on the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game. She reached double figures in scoring 10 times and led the team in assists (42), steals (25) and minutes played (428), while totaling 161 points and 40 rebounds. The Baltimore native reached double figures in scoring 11 times and twice matched a career-high 19 points in the season opener against UMBC (11/25) and Howard (1/3). Henson ranks second in the league in three-point field goal percentage (.354), sixth in free throw percentage (.792), seventh in assists (3.0), ninth in field goal percentage (.395), tied for ninth in steals (1.8) and 11^th in the MEAC in scoring.
 
McCALLA NAMED THIRD-TEAM ALL-MEAC: A native of Greenbelt, Md., Ashia McCalla finished second on the team in rebounding (4.5) and third on the team in scoring (11.0). She started all 14 games and totaled 154 points, 63 rebounds, 22 assists, 17 steals and a block on the season. The junior guard reached double figures in scoring 11 times, including a season-high 21 points against Navy (12/18). She scored 16 points, while going a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line against Coppin State (2/27). McCalla concluded the regular season ranked fifth in free throw percentage (.795), sixth in three-pointers made (1.4), eighth in three-point percentage (.306), 12^th in offensive rebounds (1.9), 14^th in field goal percentage (.355), tied for 14^th in the MEAC in scoring and 16^th in rebounding.
 
SAYING GOODBYE: The Lady Bears said goodbye to a total of six seniors, including three graduate transfers at the conclusion of practice. Two-year members KaMaree Donald, Sydney Searcy and Lana Skripkina who came to MSU a year ago as juniors, along with first-year members and graduate students Desiree Allen, Nina Carpenter and Takara Wade. The Lady Bears' season finale at Hill Field House for 'Senior Night' against Delaware State (3/421) was canceled due to health and safety protocols.
 
LET'S SHARE: Morgan State entered its scheduled regular season series finale against Delaware State looking to earn a share of the MEAC Northern Division regular season title. However, with the series being canceled, the Lady Bears fell two games shy of tying rival Howard for a share of the division title with identical 10-2 league records. 
 
AN ABRUPT END: Moments after celebrating the program's first MEAC Tournament victory in two years, Morgan State's 2019-20 season came to a screeching holt, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the court, the Lady Bears had just defeated Delaware State, 64-63 in the MEAC quarterfinal round (3/12) to advance to their first semifinal appearance since 2007. Once in the locker room, the team was told the remainder of the tournament had been cancelled. The Morgan State-Delaware State contest was the final NCAA Division I college basketball game played in the 2019-20 season. 
 
THE RIVALRY CONTINUES WITH A DOUBLE DOSE: With the MEAC going to a Northern and Southern Division format in basketball this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crosstown rivals Morgan State and Coppin State will get a double dose of their annual "East vs. West" season series in 2021. For the first time since the 1995-96 season, when they met three times, the two programs will meet more than twice during the regular season, as they will play a total of four times. Last year Morgan State swept the season series over Coppin State, earning a 47-42 road victory on (1/25), before defeating the Eagles, 68-42 at home (2/29). It was the second consecutive year the Lady Bears have won both regular season contests. This season the Lady Bears claimed all four meetings, sweeping both games at PEC Arena (1/30-31), before sweeping both games at Hill Field House (2/27-28). Morgan State has won nine straight regular season match-ups and 10 out of the last 11 meetings against their rivals.
 
ATMORE HAS BREAKOUT SERIES AGAINST COPPIN: Jayla Atmore had a productive weekend series against rival Coppin State (2/27-28). The senior guard scored a combined 29 points, grabbed six rebounds and had five steals in the sweep of the Eagles. On Saturday, she shot 5-of-7 from the floor for 10 points, added three steals and had two rebounds in a reserve role. She then came off the bench to score a game- and season-high 19 points in Sunday's victory over crosstown rival Coppin State (2/28). The Winter Haven, Fla. native, shot 8-of-15 from the floor, including two three-pointers, had four rebounds, two steals and an assist in the win.

COACH DAVIS RETURNS TO THE SIDELINE: Morgan State head coach Ed Davis returned to the Morgan State bench for Saturday's game against Coppin State (2/27). Davis had missed the previous nine games to address health concerns. It was his first game back since the Lady Bears' home contest against Navy (12/18).

PROTECTING THE 'HOUSE': During this abbreviated season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MSU has picked up right where it left off last season, by defending its home floor. The Lady Bears won their first three home games to start this season. After dropping its MEAC opener to Howard (1/2), thus ending a seven-game home winning streak, the Lady Bears bounced back to win Game 2 against Howard (1/3) to improve to 4-1 at home at the time. Morgan State, which improved to 6-1 at home, following last weekend's sweep of Coppin State, has now won 17 of its last 19 home games dating back to a 70-47 win over rival Coppin State in the season finale during the 2018-19 season. Morgan closed out last season with a 10-1 record at Hill Field House. The Lady Bears' 10-1 record was the program's best home court mark since the 2017-18 team finished 10-3.

STAYING THE COURSE WITH COACH OWSLEY: Associate head coach Wanika Owsley stepped in while head coach Ed Davis was away, and the Lady Bears didn't miss a beat. After dropping the MEAC opener to Howard (1/2), the Lady Bears won a season-best five straight games with Owsley at the helm. Owsley, who went 6-3 and guided Morgan State to a 6-2 MEAC mark since stepping in, helped to guide the Lady Bears to back-to-back series sweeps on the road at Delaware State (1/16-17) and at Coppin State (1/30-31), before earning a split in the  series at Howard (2/6-7), which at the time put the Lady Bears a half-game ahead of Howard for the division lead.
 
GIMME FIVE: The Lady Bears extended their season-long winning streak to five straight, following a 72-43 victory at Coppin State (2/2). The five-game streak is the program's longest since last season, when Morgan State had two five-game streaks (Jan. 18-Feb.1) and (Feb. 17-March 12) to close out the 2019-20 campaign.
 
HALFWAY THERE: Morgan State wrapped up the first half of the MEAC Northern Division schedule with a 5-1 mark and sat in first in the division standings. The Lady Bears' lone loss came to Howard in the MEAC opener in Baltimore (1/2). Since then, Morgan State ran off five straight wins, including back-to-back series sweeps on the road at Delaware State (1/16-17) and Coppin State (1/30-31).
 
ATMORE MAKES DEBUT: Senior guard Jayla Atmore made her Morgan debut on Jan. 30 at rival Coppin State. Atmore, who transferred from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, shot .500 from the floor on 3-of-6 shooting and went 3-of-4 from the free throw line for nine points. The Winter Haven, Fla. native, also pulled down five rebounds and recorded two steals in the win over the Eagles.
 
REDD NAMED MEAC CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior guard Dahyne Redd was named MEAC Co-Player of the Week (1/19), presented by Coca-Cola. It was the first MEAC weekly honor of the season for Redd, who averaged 14 points and 6.5 rebounds to help Morgan State to a 2-0 weekend. On Sunday (1/17), the Darby, Pa. native totaled a game-high 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 8-of-9 from the free throw line, while also tying a team-high seven rebounds in the win at Delaware State.
 
REDD HONORED BY COLLEGE SPORTS MADNESS: Dahnye Redd was named Madness MEAC Player of the Week (1/4) by the staff of College Sports Madness. It was her second honor this season for Redd, who was also named on Nov. 30, 2020. The Darby, Pa., native averaged 15.5 points on a combined 12-of-26 shooting and added 6.5 rebounds and two steals in two games. She nearly recorded a double-double in the win over Howard (1/3), finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
 
HENSON MATCHES CAREER HIGH: Ja'Niah Henson matched her career high of 19 points to lead Morgan to a MEAC win over Howard in Game 2 of their series (1/3). Henson, who shot 6-of-13 for the game and was 6-of-8 from the charity stripe, also added three assists and three steals.
 
TURNING UP THE PRESSURE: Morgan State forced an opponent season-high 31 turnovers out of Howard in its 71-58 victory over the Bison (1/3). The Lady Bears converted those 31 turnovers into a season-best 35 points. The 31 turnovers surpassed the previous opponent high of 26 by Saint Peter's (12/5).
 
ALLEN MAKES MORGAN DEBUT: Graduate student Desiree 'Dez' Allen made her Morgan debut in the MEAC opener against Howard (1/2). A native of Neptune, N.J., Allen, who graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2020, stepped on the floor with 7:09 remaining in the first quarter. She recorded her first rebound as a Lady Bear at the 3:55 mark of the first period and scored her first points in a Morgan uniform on a layup with 9:13 to play in the second quarter. Allen would finish the day with a team-high eight rebounds, six points and two steals off the bench.
 
OFF TO A GREAT START: Morgan's 3-1 start matched the 2010-11 and 2008-09 teams. Both of those squads finished the season with identical 17-13 records. Like this season, the 2008-09 team started off winning its first three contests, while the 2010-11 edition ended the season advancing to the first round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) where they lost at Virginia 69-56 on March 17, 2011.

SIX DIVISION I TRANSFERS ON ROSTER: The 2020-21 Morgan State roster will feature a total of six Division I transfers, including three graduate players. Headlining the list is senior Sydney Searcy (University of Florida), who transferred to Morgan State prior to the 2018-19 season. Senior newcomer Jayla Atmore (University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and sophomore newcomer, Adia Brisker (Niagara University) are also joined this season by graduate transfers Nina Carpenter (Cal State Bakersfield), Desiree Allen (New Jersey Institute of Technology) and Takara Wade (Houston Baptist University).
 
MSU SECURES NON-CONFERENCE WINNING RECORD: The Morgan State Lady Bears secured their first non-conference winning record since the 2017-18 campaign (7-6), following a 67-63 victory over the Naval Academy (12/18). MSU improved to 3-0 on the season with the win, before dropping its lone non-conference loss at Towson (12/20).
 
CARPENTER RECEIVES MEAC DEFENSIVE HONOR: Graduate center Nina Carpenter was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week (Dec. 8). Carpenter was a defensive force in her second game as a Lady Bear in the victory over Saint Peter's (12/5). The Las Vegas, Nev. native recorded a game-high five blocked shots, scored eight points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds (seven on the defensive end).  
 
MORGAN PICKED SECOND IN MEAC NORTH: Morgan State was picked to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division preseason poll, as voted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. The MEAC will move to division play for the 2020-21 season. The Lady Bears were picked to finish seventh last season and went 17-13 overall and finished 12-4 in the MEAC to finish the 2019-20 regular season tied for second and earned the No. 3 seed in the league tournament.
 
REDD, MCCALLA EARN PRESEASON ALL-MEAC HONORS: Senior guard Dahnye Redd was selected to the MEAC Preseason All-MEAC first team and junior guard Ashia McCalla was named to the second team. Redd averaged 13.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game last season. A third-team All-MEAC selection a year ago, Redd ranked seventh in the MEAC in scoring, fifth in rebounding, fifth in offensive rebounding (3.0), eighth in defensive rebounds (4.5), ninth in field goal percentage (.437), 10th in free throw percentage (.694) and 14th in blocked shots (0.8). A native of Darby, Pa., Redd reached double figures in scoring 21 times and had five double-doubles. She scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had a steal in the MEAC quarterfinal win over Delaware State (3/12) and added a career-high 26 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks at Saint Peter's (11/26). McCalla averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season. She ranked 14th in the MEAC in scoring, fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.343) and fourth in three-point field goals made (58). McCalla reached double figures in scoring 17 times and was also second on the team in free throw shooting at 80% (56-of-70). The Greenbelt native set a career-high 31 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three-point range, hauled in a season-high eight rebounds and had two steals and an assist in the home opener against Notre Dame Maryland (11/8).  
  
2021 MEAC TOURNAMENT: The 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) men's and women's basketball tournament is scheduled for March 11-13, 2021 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va. The annual MEAC Basketball Tournament moved to Norfolk in 2013 after spending the previous four years in Winston-Salem, N.C. from 2009 through 2012.
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 126 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.