DURHAM, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2024)--Morgan State nearly overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit, only to have the potential game winning shot ruled no basket, as host North Carolina Central (NCCU) held on for a 66-65 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory on Monday evening at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The loss ended Morgan State's (7-15, 2-5 MEAC) seven-game winning streak over the Eagles. It was just the second loss to NCCU (11-11, 5-2 MEAC) in the last 12 meetings, as the Lady Bears now lead the series 17-6.
 
With 2.1 seconds remaining, Gabrielle Johnson received the inbound pass and drove to the basket and hit what appeared to be the game winning layup at the buzzer. Following several minutes of the officials reviewing the replay on the monitor, they ruled that Johnson's shot was not released in time, sending heartbreak to Morgan State.
 
Morgan State held a six-point advantage (30-24) after a layup by Anjanae Mueck with 5:10 left in the second period. That would be the final points of the period for Morgan, as the Eagles held the visitors scoreless while ending the quarter with a 15-0 run to take a 39-30 lead at the break.
 
NCCU took its largest lead of the contest (13 points) when Morgan Callahan knocked down a free throw with 7:15 remaining in the game to put the Eagles ahead 62-49.
 
Morgan State would turn up its defensive intensity and responded with a 16-3 run over the next seven minutes to even the score at 65 all, capped off by two free throws by Amari Smith with 16 seconds remaining. NCCU then took the lead, 66-65 when Aniya Finger hit the second of two free throws with 14 seconds left.
 
On the ensuing possession, the Lady Bears had two chances at layups, but missed them both. Morgan State was given the ball with 2.1 seconds remaining, thus setting the stage for Johnson's final shot.
 
The Eagles were led by Callahan, who scored a game-high 17 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds to record a double-double. Finger came off the bench to score 15 on 7-of-11 shooting and had eight rebounds, while Kyla Bryant finished with 12 points. Kimeira Burks and Tippy Robertson each tallied 10 points. Robertson dished out a game-high eight assists.
 
Mueck came off the bench to score a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and added seven rebounds, two steals and a block to lead Morgan State. Smith also scored 15 points, had six rebounds and a block. Jael Butler finished with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, had a block and a steal before fouling out.

Morgan State will be off for its second 12-day layoff of the season, before returning home to begin the second half of the MEAC slate, when it welcomes Maryland Eastern Shore to Hill Field House for Community Youth Day/Benny's Birthday on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 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