Howard 51, Delaware State 49
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Brooklyn Fort-Davis scored a game-high 19 points and Aziah Huidson had 15, but it was the second-half play of Kaniyah Harris that helped Howard University hold off Delaware State 51-49 in its MEAC women's opener at Burr Gymnasium on Saturday.
The injury-riddled Lady Bison (5-9, 1-0 MEAC), who were playing without three starters, including their top two scorers, got off to the early start, holding an 18-8 first quarter lead and a 33-18 advantage at the break.
Fort-Davis, a senior forward who was honored pre-game for reaching 500 career rebounds, tallied 13 of her 19 points in the first half, while Hudson, who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in her career in the second quarter, added all 15 of her points in the first 20 minutes.
Box Score | Recap
Morgan State 81, North Carolina Central 71
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Morgan State used a monster game from Charlene Shepherd, and three double-digit scoring performances, to open MEAC play on Saturday with an 81-71 win over North Carolina Central at the Talmadge Hill Field House.
Shepherd finished with a game-high 26 points on 7-for-10 shooting and 12-for-13 from the free throw line, while also coming one rebound away from a double-double and notching two steals.
Ja'Niah Henson added 12 points, while Taylor Addison had 11 for the Bears (8-6, 1-0 MEAC).
Jerni Kiaku led NCCU (6-10, 0-1 MEAC) with 14 points.
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Norfolk State 43, Maryland Eastern Shore 38
NORFOLK, Va. -- Points were at a premium in Echols Hall on Saturday, but thanks in large part to Cmmille Downs, Norfolk State scored enough of them to open MEAC play with a 43-38 win over Maryland Eastern Shore.
Downs ended the day with 22 of the Spartans' 43 points to go along with six rebounds and three steals. Deja Francis added 10 points, while Kierra Wheeler pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds for the Spartans (13-3, 1-0 MEAC).
Ariana Seawell led UMES (4-11, 0-1 MEAC) with eight points.
Box Score | Recap