Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Lashara Smith scored a game-high 19 points as Savannah State beat North Carolina Central 47-44 in Tiger Arena.

Smith scored 11 of her points in the first half and ended the game hitting 7-of-8 free throw attempts.

The Lady Tigers led 12-9 but NCCU went on a 9-0 run to grab a 18-12 lead with 8:07 on the clock.

Savannah State rallied to take a 25-24 lead with 13 seconds left when Ashlee Barley made a layup but Central went into the half with a 26-25 advantage after a pair of free throws by Chasidy Williams.

Central (9-17) shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the first period but dipped to 6-for-16 from the field after halftime.

SSU opened the second half with a 11-0 run to take a 36-36 lead with 12:07 on the clock.

Central was held scoreless until Blaire Houston's layup with 10:21 left in the game.

Houston's layup started a 8-0 run that pulled NCCU within 36-34 with 7:53 remaining.

Savannah State (6-19) would respond with five straight points to widen their lead to seven but the Eagles would make it a two-point game, 46-44, with 28 seconds left but a free throw by Barley with two seconds left proved to be the difference.

Central, who made 30 turnovers, were led by Williams' 15 points. Latoya Bennett had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.