Saturday, November 29, 2014

NCCU nips NAU in Emerald Coast Classic finale; back at .500

NICEVILLE, Florida — N.C. Central used a 14-2 run midway through the second half and played lockdown defense the rest of the way to hold off the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona 40-36 to win the 2014 Emerald Coast Classic consolation bracket championship.

It marked the fewest points the Eagles had scored in a win in 70 years — since NCCU beat West Virginia State 37-31 on Jan. 29, 1944.

After a 19-19 first half, NAU made a big move early in the second, taking a 26-21 after a 7-2 run keyed by a three-point play by Lumberjack forward Quinton Upshur who led NAU with 13 points. Jordan Parks led NCCU with 12.

NCCU never backed down as it trailed 29-23 after Aaseem Dixon’s lone three-pointer, but the Eagle offense awoke as senior Anthony McDonald drilled back-to-back three-pointers for a 35-31 lead with 10:04 left.

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