PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – North Carolina Central University held on late and made its free throws down the stretch to get past Maryland Eastern Shore for its 11th consecutive win, 82-69 at the Hytche Athletic Center on Saturday, Feb. 18.
 
With the win, NCCU (20-6, 11-1 MEAC) secured its 19th 20-win season in program history, and its fourth under head coach LeVelle Moton.
 
NCCU went on a 12-0 run to open the contest as Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) and Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) hit a pair of momentum threes, but MDES (9-18, 6-6 MEAC) was quick to respond.  The Eagles led 26-16 at the 7:14 mark in the half, but the Hawks closed the period on a 17-9 run to capture a two-point lead at the intermission, 35-33.
 
The Eagles found their gear after the break, as Madison came out firing to make his first three three-point attempts in the period, and Cole tacked on another as NCCU started the half on a strong run, and led by as many as 19 in the second half.  However, the second half mirrored the first with the Hawks applying pressure down the stretch and cut the lead to as little as six within the final two minutes, at 73-67 with 1:54 to go.
 
The Eagles were able to make their free throws down the stretch, along with two makes from Cole at the line after a critical technical foul against MDES in the final minute, and NCCU also held the Hawks scoreless in the final 1:16 to secure the victory.
 
For the third time in the last four games, NCCU shot over 50 percent from the floor, making 55.1 percent of its shots, and was over 40 percent from the arc at 41.7 percent.
 
Cole notched his sixth career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds along with a joint game-high six assists, and Madison finished with 18 points as he rained in six treys for the sixth time in his career. 
 
Del'vin Dickerson (Houston, Texas) was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor and made his only free throw attempt for 15 points with four boards.  Graf was the fourth Eagle in double-digits with 15 points and a joint game-high six helpers and five rebounds.
 
Dontae Caldwell (Santa Ana, Calif.) had a game-high 19 points for the Hawks with seven rebounds, and Bakari Copeland (Decatur, Ga.) was close behind with 15 points.  Isaac Taylor (Wachapreague, Va.) was the third Hawk with double-figure points with 10 and five boards.
 
NCCU finishes the road trip at Howard on Monday, with tip off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Burr Gymnasium.