NCCU Eagles off to Winning Start in MEAC Play

DOVER, Delaware – North Carolina Central University had to withstand a strong second-half run by Delaware State, but the Eagles were the last team standing with a 65-62 win to open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

NCCU (7-8, 1-0 MEAC) hopped out to a 5-0 lead to start the game, boosted by one of four first-half treys by Reggie Gardner, Jr. (Bowie, Md.) but DSU (2-14, 0-1 MEAC) responded early and turned the game into a seesaw contest for the first 20 minutes. The score stayed tied at 29 for a few minutes, but DSU broke the deadlock with a free throw, before the Eagles captured the last five points of the half to go to the intermission ahead 34-30.

NCCU was able to spread out the lead in the midway point of the second half on some strong defensive plays from Marius McAllister (Durham, N.C.) and buckets from Brandon Goldsmith (Raleigh, N.C.) and Raasean Davis (Chicago, Ill.).

DSU wouldn't go away quietly as the Hornets closed the gap and pulled within one with just over three minutes to go, but the Eagles were able to hold off the initial charge with some timely buckets from Alston Jones (Kansas City, Mo.).

The Eagles and Hornets spent the final frames within three points of each other with the Eagles making clutch free throws to keep the cushion. DSU had an opportunity to send the game to overtime with 3.5 seconds remaining, but the Hornets couldn't hit a long three-pointer to extend the game, and the Eagles came away with a 65-62 win.

Jones exploded for 13 points in the second half alone and finished with a joint team-high along with Gardner, Jr. Davis chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds, and Jordan Perkins (Greensboro, N.C.) put in 10 points as well.

BOX SCORE

Artem Tavakalyn (Moscow, Russia) came up with a game-high 15 points for the Hornets, and Kavon Waller (Chester, Va.) was close behind with 13 points. Pinky Wiley (Chesterfield, Va.) contributed 10 points and four assists, and Simon Okolue (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) had a solid game with seven points and seven boards.

The Eagles will take the weekend off before opening the home MEAC schedule on Monday against Norfolk State.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS