DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University honored four senior players prior to the start of its contest with Maryland Eastern Shore, and the Eagles followed that up with a 77-49 win over the Hawks on Saturday, Feb. 17 at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

NCCU (13-13, 7-5 MEAC) led MDES (6-22, 2-11 MEAC) wire-to-wire, though the teams were separated by less than five points through the first 10 minutes of the game.  The Eagles were able to create some separation in the tail end of the half, but the Hawks hung close as NCCU went to the intermission with a 33-28 lead.
 
The Eagles came surging out of the locker room to start the second half, and led by as many as 20 on its way to breaking a three-game slide, 77-49.  28 points is the largest margin of victory for the Eagles in a regular season MEAC game, since NCCU defeated Howard by 35, 74-39 on Jan. 23, 2017.
 
Senior Pablo Rivas (Colón, Panama) had a great night with a team-high 15 points and nine rebounds, and senior Dominique Reid (Sicklerville, N.J.) dropped in eight points with five boards.  Reggie Gardner, Jr. (Bowie, Md.) hit three treys for 14 points, and John Guerra (Cary, N.C.) hit a new career-high with 13 points.  Jordan Perkins (Greensboro, N.C.) had a full game with nine point, eight assists, and six rebounds.
 
Ahmad Frost (Toledo, Ohio) led the Hawks in scoring with 18 points, and Miryne Thomas (Cleveland, Ohio) followed with nine points and seven rebounds.
 
NCCU's next game will be against Howard on Monday, Feb. 19 live on ESPNU at 7:00 p.m.  For ticket information, visit NCCUEaglePride.com