HBCU notebook: Inside Morgan Callahan’s decision to return to North Carolina Central

Numerous family and fans who had followed the 6’0 graduate student’s journey for years moved with the restless rhythm of a Times Square subway crowd during rush hour, drifting toward her as she tried to enjoy her cheeseburger. They hugged her and shared how they’d enjoyed watching her play, thanking her for representing the maroon and gray with pride and distinction.

Even though she was still processing the sting of a season-ending loss to Coppin State in last year’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) quarterfinal game, their words became quiet affirmations. Amid the clatter and chatter, she found a rare stillness, a clarity that made her decision easier.

“People just kept coming up to me, saying how much they’d loved watching me play,” Callahan said. “They told me they heard I had another year left, and they hoped they’d get to see me play again. I hadn’t really interacted with alumni that much before, so to hear that from so many of them throughout the night was special.”

She paused, the memory still fresh. “It did put a little pressure on me,” she added with a small laugh, “but in a good way. It made me think, maybe I really do want to come back one more year, especially knowing that Aniya (Finger) and Tierney (Coleman) were returning.”

Preparing for a sixth year of college basketball as the 2025 MEAC preseason Player of the Year wasn’t part of Callahan’s vision board when she arrived on North Carolina Central’s campus in 2020.

“I thought I would be in pharmacy school right now,” Callahan said, laughing. “That was my plan.”

Then, the world changed. COVID hit. Soon after, pain became her new opponent. Sharp, unrelenting pain that stole her sleep and made even climbing stairs feel impossible. A season-ending hip injury forced her to the sideline and into months of grueling rehab. There were days when she had to relearn how to walk with the help of crutches and her therapist, one careful, determined step at a time.

Rebuilding isn’t glamorous. It’s lonely, humbling, and honest. It’s the kind of work that every person faces at some point in their life. But Callahan didn’t give up. Her resilience became a small, steady light in the darkest moments.

“Going into my sophomore year, I felt like I had taken 10 steps forward and then with the injury, I felt like I took 20 steps back,” Callahan said. “Six months of rehab, and then basically I felt like I was starting from the ground when I got back.”

Callahan, who earned a sixth season of eligibility remaining because of COVID and a redshirt year, is thrilled to be back for her final season at North Carolina Central. Her accolade confirms that all the grueling rehabilitation was worth the long days, hard work, and challenging moments. Once it became official that she was the MEAC preseason Player of the Year, her phone pinged like a drumline finding its rhythm with messages from people eager to celebrate her recognition.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Callahan said. “I was shocked when I first saw my name because I never really thought that I would be up for a preseason award until my junior year. That is when I was like, okay, like, I’m good enough to be up there with the other preseason awards. I was shocked but also super grateful. Now, it’s added extra motivation for me.”

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While the award may make Callahan a target of opposing defenses, she takes comfort in knowing her inspiration is always a phone call away or a car ride home. Her parents, Melinda and Gregory, balance each other when it comes to providing Callahan the correct dose of wisdom, feedback, and comfort.

“I call my mom every single day,” Callahan said. “I talk to her every single day. My dad and I can argue about basketball stuff. So, I called my mom to be like, you know, ‘I just didn’t play well today.’ I just didn’t do this today. And she’s going to be like, well, it’s all right. You know, you have the next game where my dad’s going to be a little bit more, well, you didn’t do this, that, and the third. They’re both equally good. I need to hear both sides.”

When she was rehabbing from hip surgery, Callahan’s parents and her roommate, Madalyn Anderson, at the time were the real MVPs. They brought food, ran errands, and provided shoulders to cry on during those frustrating moments behind the scenes. Since returning from hip surgery, Callahan has played in 90 of NCCU’s last 96 contests.

Believe it or not, there was a time when Callahan had to be forced into playing basketball. The sport wasn’t on her radar. She was a soccer standout until she stepped onto the court.

“I would not be here if it weren’t for my dad,” Callahan said. “He really introduced me to the sport. … I was in sixth grade. My older sister played, and my dad — I say he forced me because I really didn’t want to play — but he wanted us to be on the team together, so I had to play. I had to play basketball, and I ended up really enjoying it, obviously.”

Opponents have learned to fear Callahan, who moves like the fictional character Michael Myers minus the mask. Calm. Relentless. Inevitable. There’s no rush in her game, no wasted motion. Every move is deliberate, every rebound claimed with quiet certainty.

Her fierce gaze turns cold and calculating; not from arrogance, but presence with a stillness that chills opponents before she even arrives. Unbothered by chaos, she dominates with quiet menace, finishing with a jeweler’s touch around the rim, locking down on defense, and controlling the glass.

Callahan collected her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds in NCCU’s first win of the season, a 66-53 decision over UNC-Asheville on Nov. 13. She is averaging 7.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Finger leads the Eagles in scoring at 12.7 points per game. Aniya Hinton also averages 10.0 points per contest for NCCU.

When Terrance Baxter took over midway through the 2023–24 season, Callahan’s game ascended. Freed to play her way, she lifted the energy of everyone around her. She went from averaging 8.7 points per game during the 2022-23 season to 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game the following season. Her average dipped last year to 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds, but not her impact.

However, what Callahan enjoys more than basketball is helping others, which fuels her passion for clinical research. An honor student during her undergraduate career, Callahan earned a pharmacy degree. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in the same subject. She completed an internship at Pfizer, where she experienced the fast-paced environment of a corporate office and worked with diverse personalities.

That internship has helped Callahan become a source of strength and a fountain of wisdom for the Eagles. She also remained loyal to the Eagles. Callahan could’ve had options if she chose to enter the transfer portal. She didn’t. She loves NCCU. She’s happy, home, and healthy. 

Today, Callahan moves at her own pace, savoring her peace, appreciating each practice and bus ride while honoring the journey that built her resilience. With her determination and focus guiding the way, the next postseason dinner might feature something more than reflection — maybe even a toast and a shower of confetti.

Howard’s perfect start

Off to its first 4-0 start since 2004, Howard has had plenty of highlights during the first two weeks of the season. One of those occurred in its home opener against Florida A&M on Nov. 8.

During an incandescent third-quarter thunderclap of excellence and entertainment, Howard unleashed an unfathomable run of 32 consecutive points that became the centerpiece of its 89–53 victory over Florida A&M. When reflecting on the run postgame, it sounded like the Bison were movie critics reviewing a blockbuster movie.

“It’s exhilarating,” Zoe Stewart shared standing outside of the Bison locker room after scoring a team-high 15 points. “You feel like the basket is like two goals wide. Everything is falling and you start getting excited. It’s fun. You feel unstoppable. It was exciting. It was a moment in time that you felt like you could just enjoy yourself on the court.”

The Bison had a blast during a quarter in which it outscored FAMU, 32-10. Howard had one quarter last season where it scored at least 30 points and that was in the final frame in a come-from-behind win over Coppin State on Jan. 13.

Going inside the run that lasted 7 minutes, 47 seconds reveals that Howard made eight consecutive field goals, including an astonishing stretch of six straight 3-pointers that had Burr Gymnasium crackling with electricity. Seven different players scored during the run and five different players recorded an assist.

Also, four different players made at least one three-pointer during the run. Unfortunately, for FAMU, it was trapped in a nightmare game of whack-a-mole — every time they closed out on one shooter, another popped free. One corner three led to a wing dagger, followed by a pull-up in transition and a deep bomb from straightaway.

Hands flew, defenders scrambled, but no matter where they looked, another Bison was locked and loaded. Howard’s marksmanship was so sharp the public address announcer nearly went hoarse trying to keep up.

It wasn’t just a scoring run; it was a symphony of chaos, orchestrated with precision and joy.

“It was nice to watch,” Rayne Durant said. “The energy was amazing especially after we kept making bucket after bucket. I feel like the energy we bring, especially off the bench, transfers to the floor and help people gain that confidence to knock down those shots.”

Howard’s mesmerizing sequence had everything: drama, pacing, and joy. A reminder that this Bison team might not just be special but could be the best show playing anywhere in the nation’s capital this winter. It was the perfect follow-up performance to its season-opening road win at Providence.

Howard’s run even left veteran Howard head coach Ty Grace astonished.

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“I didn’t realize it was that many (points) in a row,” Grace shared. “I’ll admit, it was fun to watch. I guess I’m anal like this, and I’m always seeing the things that aren’t going well. So, I didn’t even see 32 straight, I sort of saw a missed a defensive assignment, and they hit a three. My assistant coaches were like they are having fun, coach. And I was like, you know what they are, I’m going to let them have fun.”

The missed assignment Grace is referencing occurred with Howard leading by 50 points with 44 seconds left in third quarter.

Grace and the Bison were excited by their performance against FAMU, but with bigger goals in mind, she doesn’t want her team to get complacent. Of course, she recognizes what type of talent she has this season.

“We have more depth this year,” Grace said when asked why Howard could be special this season. “We have the ability to put different people on the floor at different times, and or five at a time, as you saw tonight. That gives us a little bit more longevity in games and an ability to give us some fresh legs and fresh people to go to that can still be productive in those moments.”

Ranked 24th in the latest CollegeInsider Mid-Major Top 25 poll, Howard also owns road wins over Providence, George Washington, and Elon. While the offense led the Bison against FAMU, the defense secured the triumphs against the Friars, Revolutionaries, and Phoenix. Howard is allowing 53.8 points per game.

Howard held George Washington scoreless for the final 5:20 to claim the win. Against Providence, the Bison limited Providence to 2-of-19 (10.5%) from 3-point distance. Howard also had a double-digit lead at some point in its first four games of the season.

Delaware State’s Cottingham growing into a leadership role

This is Mahogany Cottingham’s team.

As one of only two returning players, the 5-foot-9 junior guard from Cleveland carries a heavier load this season. Not just as a scorer, but as a steadying voice and mentor for Delaware State’s young roster. She’s the one encouraging teammates through tough stretches, guiding freshmen through the grind, and learning to speak up when the moment calls for it.

It’s still a work in progress.

Earlier this month, during a road game against American, head coach Jazmone Turner sensed her floor leader needed a reminder of her strength. Late in the second quarter, Turner slipped an arm around Cottingham’s waist and whispered a few affirming words. What followed was Cottingham’s best stretch of the night — nine of her team-high 18 points in the third quarter — a glimpse of what this new-look Hornets team could become.

Even in a narrow 66–63 defeat, the performance felt like a step forward for both Cottingham and Delaware State.

“I am trying to be more a leader especially since we have a whole new team this year,” Cottingham said postgame to The IX Basketball. “So, it’s just trying to work out the kinks with my playing style and blending my game to compliment everybody else because we have a lot of good players who also can score the ball and can make reads that’s similar to my playing style. So, I am trying to grow in that area, get my teammates involved while understanding that that I don’t have to do everything myself because I have people behind me.”

The game runs deep in her family. Cottingham started playing at age five, raised by a family of self-described hoop-a-holics — her brother, Mikhail, and parents, Michael and Marissa, all played. After the game, she shared a joyful moment with her father, turning a few quick snapshots into an impromptu photoshoot as they took turns capturing each other on their phones. It was a simple scene that reflected the love of the game that connects them both.

Her road to Delaware State began at North Dakota where she appeared in 21 games, contributing a total of 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 steals. She knew a change of scenery was necessary if she was going to soar beyond her potential.

Cottingham shined last season for the Hornets, ranking ninth in the MEAC in scoring (12.1 ppg), sixth in three-pointers made per game (1.5), eighth in three-point percentage (33.3%), and scoring in double figures 19 times, including a career-high 32-point outing against Cheyney.

“Best decision of my life coming here,” Cottingham said. “Coach Jaz is a really great coach, and she had my back, and still does. She believed in me, and I couldn’t ask for a better coach or better team or better staff.”

Turner has been impressed with Cottingham’s growth this season off the court.

“Her demeanor and attitude has been phenomenal,” Turner said. “She’s willing to learn and she’s willing to grow, and then on the court, it’s just a matter of slowing her down because she’s such a fast straight-line player. Now, the challenge is just teaching her how to slow down and see the game, see her finishes, and her kick outs. We’re still building on that, but she’s really grown. She’s leaning into that, and she’s listening. She wants to be coached, she wants to learn. So, I’m excited with her development, and she’s going to be all right this season.”

One player who should help get Cottingham into better positions to score and make a bigger impact once she continues improving is freshman point guard Amya Scott from Philadelphia.

The fearless 5’3 dynamo is gritty and has some sizzle to her game as well. She scored in double digits in three of Delaware State’s first five games of the season. Scott and Aniya Jones scored 12 points each in a loss to Long Island on Nov. 15. Sophomore Erika Huggins is the other returning Hornet this season and while her numbers are down at the start of the season, she’s another bright light for a Delaware State program on the rise.

Indiya Bowen leads UAPB over Memphis

A bundle of joy and energy, Indiya Bowen loves watching cartoons and doing TikTok dances.

Her laughter fills a room before she ever picks up a basketball. But once the 5’9 University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff guard steps between the lines, her radiant smile transforms into a fierce scowl as she morphs into a soul-snatching scorer, her quiet fire capable of taking over a game.

Majoring in mass communications, Bowen showcased that duality — lighthearted spirit and relentless drive — in her UAPB debut. Playing a few miles from her hometown of Horn Lake, Mississippi, Bowen poured in 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lift the Golden Lions to a 69–64 season-opening win over Memphis on Nov. 3.

In the stands, a large contingent of family and friends cheered her every move, their voices rising with each bucket as Bowen literally saved her best for last, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter to help UAPB erase a 13-point deficit. It wasn’t just a homecoming; it was a statement. For Bowen, it was proof that her fresh start at UAPB came with purpose and presence.

That sterling performance earned her a rare weekly triple crown of Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) honors. Bowen, who is averaging 14.7 points per game through Nov. 14, was named SWAC Player of the Week, Impact Player of the Week, and Newcomer of the Week.

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Just across the state line from Memphis, Horn Lake is where big-city energy blends with small-town joy. A place where grit is a way of life and pride runs deep. Close enough to feel the city’s pulse, yet rooted in a small town’s steady energy, it’s the kind of place that shapes competitors like Bowen: Humble, hungry, and hardened by community.

“It was a good feeling, especially coming home,” Bowen said to The IX Basketball over Zoom. “It was good for everybody to see me and showcase what I can do.”

Family is Bowen’s anchor. It’s what grounds her when life moves fast and what fuels her when the game slows down. She grew up in a household where competition was a love language as she often played against her dad, Henry, and younger brother, Dorian, in fierce backyard battles that sharpened her edge and deepened her drive. Her older sister, Destiny, also played basketball.

“I started hooping in Memphis,” Bowen said. “Been hoopin’ for over 10 years. I started in second grade. My daddy had me in the gym. I had to grow to love it because at first it was hard, especially when you have a bad game or something like that. … I wanted to quit at first, but I felt like my dad, the coaches, my mentors, people believe in me, so I had to keep going.”

Her family’s presence extends far beyond the court. After her grandfather passed, Bowen honored him with a tattoo that keeps his spirit close every time she laces up her shoes. She also carries the words ‘God is within her; she will not fail’ alongside her grandmother’s birthday — an inked reminder of who she plays for.

“She was the one who always told me that every time I used to cry to her about games and how I did perform well,” Bowen recalled. “She would always tell me at the end of the conversation … You have a lot of praying women behind you, there’s nothing that you can’t do.”

That foundation of faith, family, and fight is what makes Bowen’s story more than just about basketball. It’s about legacy. It’s about love. It’s about a young woman whose game reflects the strength of the people who raised her.

Once she consistently scored against her brother and father, Bowen knew she could score against anyone. Scoring is nothing new for Bowen, who tallied 428 points in two seasons at Southeast Missouri State. A three-level scorer, Bowen left SEMO after a coaching change. She endured the transition of coaches from her freshman to sophomore year, but basketball wasn’t fun. Bowen knew she needed a change of scenery.

Second-year UAPB head coach Erika Leak knew she had a gem the moment they connected. Their bond was immediate and deeper than basketball. Leak, who grew up an hour outside Memphis, understood Bowen’s roots and the pride that comes from representing the mid-South.

“I can go back to the first, the very first practice that we had as a team,” Leak recalled. “She won every sprint. She was vocal. She was getting everybody involved. She had high energy from day one with a new team, not knowing everybody. It’s like she’s been here forever.”

Leak’s admiration didn’t stop there. Beyond Bowen’s motor, she appreciated the other layers that made her special. Her versatility, personality, and sparkling spirit.

“Aside from basketball, Indiya’s the life of the party,” Leak said, laughing. “She’s dancing and having fun out there. … To see her being free and lock in, as well as have fun, has been great. She has joy. She’s passionate and has a switch where she just turns into this dog. … Looking at her, you wouldn’t think that. She’s the total package, and we’re very excited about her. I don’t think we’ve seen anything yet, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg for her as she continues to grow and develop into the player that we know that she can be.”

The Golden Lions are far from a one-woman show. In the win over Memphis, Jailah Pelly added 23 points and 10 rebounds. With two double-doubles in her first three games, Pelly, one of UAPB’s returnees from last season, leads the Golden Lions in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.0).

Also in the win over Memphis, Briontanay Marshall and Jasmine Davis each grabbed nine boards, and Khaniah Gardner pulled down eight as UAPB outrebounded Memphis 62–46. Leak was just as impressed by Bowen’s leadership during a loss to Arkansas.

Despite the large deficit, Bowen was encouraging her teammates and exhorting them to focus on the big picture of continuing to run the offense. This was a memorable way to start the season for UAPB, which won three games last season. Leak knows the vibe is different around the team.

“Beating Memphis was a tremendous win,” Leak said. “To see a reward for our hard work in that first game — it was a statement. It showed what we can be, that we can play with anybody. It was big for the team, for the program, and for the university. We’re just excited to see what’s next.”

With joy in her spirit, fire in her game, and family in her heart, Bowen’s story is still being written. One thing, however, is already clear: when she smiles, it lights up a room. When she scowls, it can light up a scoreboard.

Alabama A&M’s Dawn Thornton receives contract extension

Affectionately known as “The Diva Coach” for her fire outfits and fashion flair, head women’s basketball coach Dawn Thornton earned the ultimate reward after guiding Alabama A&M to its most successful season in program history as a Division I program. It was announced on Nov. 5 that Thornton signed a three-year contract extension.

“Coach Dawn Thornton has brought a new era of excellence to Alabama A&M women’s basketball,” AAMU director of athletics Paul Bryant said in a press release. “Her commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court, her strategic acumen, and her passion for HBCU athletics have made an immediate impact. Extending her contract reflects our confidence in her leadership and our shared vision for sustained success.”

The Bulldogs won 21 games and earned a trip to the WNIT last season. It was her first season leading Alabama A&M after a successful stint at UAPB prior. The 20-win season was the first-ever for the Bulldogs since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1999 and just the fifth time it happened in program history. In addition, it also marked the first 20-win season for the veteran head coach.

The Bulldogs, who are 1-2 this season, have been without SWAC Player of the Year Kalia Walker in recent setbacks to 12th-ranked Ole Miss and UAB. In her absence, Moses Davenport leads AAMU in scoring (15.7 points per game) and she, along with Coriah Beck (11.0), are carrying the early-season scoring load.

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