Box Score | Updated Bracket | MEACHoops.com


NORFOLK, Va., March 11, 2021 – The Lady Bears of Morgan State advanced to Friday’s semifinal round of the 2021 Air Force Reserve Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Scope Arena, thanks to a 74-64 win over North Carolina Central on Thursday.
 
The win earned Morgan State a date with North Carolina A&T State, the top seed from the MEAC Southern Division. The two will meet at 2 p.m. on Friday.
 
Morgan State, seeded No. 2 from the Northern Division, led 34-28 at the half and by just two points going into the final quarter (50-48), but pulled away in the final minutes of the contest, largely in part due to the play of sophomore guard Ja’Niah Henson.
 
In fact, the Eagles tied the game at 60-all with 3:17 left, but Morgan State answered with an Adia Brisker layup that triggered a 14-4 Bears run to end the game.
 
Henson finished the game with 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 from free throw range. Her play earned heavy praise from head coach Ed Davis.         
 
“I’ve put a lot of pressure on her ever since she was a freshman,” Davis said. “She’s tougher than she looks. She’s not afraid to take the big shots and to make the big plays.”
 
On his team’s overall performance, Davis was equally enthused, saying, “I give special thanks to my coaching staff. We knew (North Carolina) Central would be a very tough team to play, so kudos to them. My kids made the free throws at the end and they refused to buckle.”
 
Joining Henson in double figures for the Bears (12-3) were Jayla Atmore with 13 points, Dahnye Redd with 11, and Ashia McCalla’s 10.
 
NCCU, the Southern Division’s No. 3 seed which closed its season with a 4-12 record, saw four players score in double figures, including MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Anissa Rivera, who led all scorers and rebounders with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
 
Paris McBride contributed 13 points, and the Eagles got 11 each from Necole Hope and Kiyana Brown.