DURHAM, North Carolina -- In a matchup that had 13 lead changes and 12 ties, North Carolina Central University needed a basket in the closing seconds and one last defensive stand to hold off Coppin State University for a 79-77 victory on Saturday, as the host Eagles escaped McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium with their 30th straight win at home.
Trailing by two points with less than a minute-and-a-half left, NCCU senior forward Jordan Parks tied the game at 77-77 with a layup off a pass by point guard Nimrod Hilliard with 1:18 remaining.
Parks then used his athleticism to reject a shot attempt by the visiting Eagles to keep the score even and provide NCCU with possession.
After a timeout, NCCU senior forward Karamo Jawara missed a shot, but Parks was there to clean it up, giving NCCU a 79-77 lead with 11 seconds left.
Following another timeout, CSU guard Taariq Cephas, who finished with 10 points and 12 assists, drove to the basket and passed the ball back outside to teammate Christian Kessee for an open look at the potential game-winning three-pointer. Kessee, who had already drained three from long distance as part of his team-high 19 points, missed the mark and it was Parks that secured the rebound and the win for NCCU as the buzzer sounded.
Parks wrapped up a productive afternoon with game-highs of 25 points and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Jawara also recorded a double-double, the first of his career, with 15 points and 10 boards. Dante Holmes contributed 19 points for NCCU, including 13 points in the first half to keep the host Eagles close, trailing 41-38 at intermission.
NCCU (15-5, 7-0 MEAC) has won its last nine games, and has beaten 25 consecutive teams from the MEAC. Coppin State (2-17, 1-5 MEAC) has lost all 14 road games this season.
Up next, NCCU hosts Delaware State on Monday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m., televised live on ESPNU.
BOX SCORE
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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