Women's Basketball | 2/2/2026 6:41:00 PM

DURHAM, N.C. – Aniya Finger delivered the best scoring performance of her career and it led to a big win for North Carolina Central.

Finger poured in a career-high 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for a double-double as the Eagles erased an early 13-point deficit to knock off Maryland Eastern Shore from the unbeaten conference ranks 69-62 for their season's first MEAC win on Monday. NCCU gained the victory after a two-week layoff due to winter conditions.

"We got off to a slow start and had foul trouble early but didn't panic," NCCU Head Coach Terrence Baxter said. "We've been down before. We came right back and rolled from that point on."

UMES was unbeaten through five MEAC games, its best conference start ever. But Finger scored at will inside and deep and led a defensive surge to beat the Hawks for the fourth time in six games at McDougald-McLendon Arena, including two in a row. Three UMES players fouled out and another player had four fouls attempting to contain Finger, NCCU forward Morgan Callahan and the Eagles' offense.

"I was in a groove," said Finger, whose previous scoring high was 21 points twice. "I was able to go inside and outside."

Finger finished 10 of 21 including 3 of 5 from three-point range for the Eagles, who outshot UMES 42.3 to 40 percent after shooting 36.4 percent in the opening quarter. It was the first time an NCCU player scored over 30 points since Kyla Bryant dropped 32 at home against UMES on Jan. 11, 2025.

"I call her Deebo and you see why," Baxter said. "She is really a three playing the five position for us. That's what I like about my fours and fives, they can step out on the perimeter and hurt you."

Callahan fought off early foul trouble to add 14 points and eight rebounds in her 96^th start, the most of any NCCU player in the Division I era. Her and Finger combined to score 14 of NCCU's 22 field goals.

Natalie Jasper chipped in nine points, including a key layup and three-pointer for a 65-59 Eagles' lead late in the fourth quarter after the Hawks closed within 58-57.

Finger also had six of the team's 18 steals for the Eagles, who forced UMES to commit a season-high 34 turnovers. The miscues were the most for a Division I opponent this season against the Eagles, who entered the contest 17^th in the nation in steals per game.The six steals and three three-pointers are also career-highs for Finger.

The Hawks jumped out to a 22-12 lead after the first quarter but did not score over 15 points in each of the remaining three quarters. Led by Finger and Tierney Coleman, the Eagles recovered from a 30-17 second-quarter deficit with an 18-4 run to pull within 35-34 at halftime.

"Staying calm is the biggest thing," Coleman said. "The coaches always preach to us that there's four quarters."

Finger had 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting at the break including 2 of 3 three-pointers in the first half. She scored 10 points in the second quarter to spark the Eagles comeback. NCCU shot 53.3 percent in the second quarter and held the Hawks to 38.5 percent.

Coleman, who displayed grit and toughness throughout the game, contributed six points in the quarter and finished with seven points.

Finger continued her hot hand in the third quarter. She scored nine points, including a three-pointer to end the quarter, for the Eagles' biggest margin at 53-47 after both teams traded the lead. She already had 25 points entering the fourth quarter.

Monday's victory showed the potential of Finger and Callahan as an inside duo. Both players were Preseason All-MEAC selections and Callahan was named Preseason Player of the Year. Finger missed all of last season due to injury.

"This is our first year really being on the court together again," Callahan said. "This game showed how good we can play together."

NEXT UP
The Eagles are back at home against William Peace in their final non-conference game on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.