Durham, N.C. – The Savannah State University Lady Tigers fell to North Carolina Central 38-50 at McDougald-McLendon Gym in Durham, N.C. Saturday afternoon in front of 710 fans.

The Lady Tigers jumped out to an early lead which they maintained for a majority of the game, leading at the half 20-16. The Lady Eagles took control midway through the second half and held out for the win behind a massive 14-2 run.

Savannah State falls to 9-14 and 2-8 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, while N.C. Central goes up 3-21, 1-10, garnering their first MEAC win of the season.

Sophomore guard Shawanda Hanton sank a layup at the 8:21 mark to put Savannah State up 16-8 on the tail end of an 8-0 run in the first half. The Lady Tigers continued to push holding their lead into the locker room. Sophomore forward Jasmine Kirkland led the team with 6 points and 6 rebounds at the half.

Zadous Pollard nailed a 3-pointer 18 minutes into the second stanza putting the Lady Tigers up 25-18, their largest lead of the second half.

Lady Eagles' Chasidy Williams hit a trey to tie the game up at 27 with 12 minutes to play. Williams added a layup moments later, to give the home team a lead they would not relinquish. North Carolina Central shot at a 65 percent clip from the charity strip in the second half, knocking in 15 of 23 attempts.  Overall both teams shot 29.5 percent from the floor.

Kirkland led the Lady Tigers with a double-double scoring 12 points and bringing down 10 boards, while Fila Smith and Hanton followed with six a piece.  Smith added 9 rebounds.  Senior Blaire Houston led North Carolina Central with 19 points, followed by Williams with 16.

The Lady Tigers continue on the road with a matchup at North Carolina A&T Monday, February 13. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.