The MEAC women’s basketball semifinals will feature the conference’s top four seeds, as both No. 3 Maryland-Eastern Shore and No. 4 Coppin State won their opening-round games Thursday afternoon.
The Eagles (18-13) overcame a slim halftime deficit to defeat No. 5 seed North Carolina Central 57-48 in the day’s opening game. NCCU led briefly 30-28 until Tiffany Hammond, the game’s high scorer with 16 points, knocked down a three-pointer with 4:44 gone in the third to give CSU the lead for good.
Laila Lawrence compiled a double-double for Coppin State with 15 points and 13 points. Guard Angel Jones also grabbed 10 rebounds and scored nine points.
North Carolina Central finished the season 9-21. They were led by reserve guard Tierney Coleman’s 11 points. Three players – Morgan Callahan, Kyla Bryant, and Aysia Hinton – scored eight points each for the Eagles.
Coppin State will take on top seed and defending conference champion Norfolk State on Friday.
Maryland-Eastern Shore (14-16) never trailed in their 74-67 win over 6th-seeded Morgan State, their third win of the season against the Bears and second in the last 12 days.
The Hawks had standout performances from guard Zamara Haynes (19 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists) and forward Ce’Nara Skanes (16 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocked shots) to lead the way. Also joining them in double figures are Ashanti Lynch (13 points) and Dakiera Turner (11 points).
ON TO THE SECOND ROUND!
UMES WINS, 74-67!#HawkPride | #SoarAboveandBeyond pic.twitter.com/YZw4o9cipa
— Hawk Women’s Hoops 🏀 (@UMESWomensHoops) March 13, 2025
The key to UMES’ victory was a dominant advantage on the glass, out-rebounding Morgan State 49 to 29.
Morgan State (13-17) got a game-high 26 points from Naya Ojukwu and 11 points from Nala Bannerman in the losing effort.
UMES will face No. 2 seed Howard in the second of Friday’s women’s semifinals.
