DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — In a contest defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, the North Carolina Central Eagles capitalized on a staggering number of turnovers to defeat the visiting UNC Asheville Bulldogs 66-53 in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Thursday night at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium.

The Eagles, evening their record at 1-2, forced the Bulldogs into 31 turnovers, converting those miscues into 27 points. That disparity proved to be the decisive factor in a game where both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm. UNC Asheville’s season record also moved to 1-2.

North Carolina Central never trailed after the opening minutes, building a 26-20 lead by halftime. The Bulldogs showed signs of life in the third quarter, matching the Eagles with 18 points to keep the deficit manageable. However, the home team pulled away in the final period, outscoring UNC Asheville 22-15 to secure the victory.

The Eagles’ offense was powered by a dominant performance in the paint, where they outscored the Bulldogs 30-18, and a significant advantage at the free-throw line. North Carolina Central attempted 39 free throws, making 28, while UNC Asheville went 24 for 38 from the stripe.

Morgan Callahan, a 6-foot sophomore from Beach Park, Illinois, was a force for the Eagles, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. She was instrumental in the Eagles’ defensive effort, contributing multiple steals.

Her frontcourt partner, Aniya Finger, was even more impactful. The 5-11 sophomore from Charlotte, North Carolina, posted a game-high 17 points and secured 10 rebounds to complete another double-double for the Eagles. She also added an assist and a block.

The Eagles’ ball movement was superior, tallying 14 assists compared to just nine for the Bulldogs. Najah Lane, a 5-5 guard from Charlotte, facilitated much of that offense, dishing out a game-high seven assists to go along with eight points.

For UNC Asheville, the offensive woes were stark. The Bulldogs shot just 28 percent from the floor, making only 13 of their 46 field goal attempts. They were also hampered by the relentless Eagle defense, which registered 14 steals.

Jamaria Freeman provided a bright spot for the Bulldogs. The 5-6 guard from Wilson, North Carolina, led her team with 16 points, though she was often harassed into difficult shots. Journee McDaniel, a 5-9 guard from New Bern, North Carolina, flirted with a double-double, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds while also recording three blocked shots.

The game’s tempo was frantic from the start, with both teams committing numerous turnovers in the opening quarter. North Carolina Central took a 13-9 lead after one period and maintained that defensive intensity throughout, never allowing the Bulldogs to put together a sustained run.

UNC Asheville will look to regroup on the road against Western Carolina on Nov. 19. North Carolina Central, meanwhile, returns to action at home against the College of Charleston on Nov. 18. An announced crowd of 963 was on hand for the matchup.