Nov. 21, 2007

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DURHAM, N.C. - After opening the inaugural season as an NCAA Division I program with five road games, including trips to New Jersey, Florida and North Dakota, the North Carolina Central University men's basketball team was glad to finally play in the friendly confines of McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium in Durham, N.C.

As a result, the host Eagles blistered the nets for season-highs in all three shooting categories for a 73-70 victory over Tennessee Tech University on Wednesday (Nov. 21), marking NCCU's first win as a Division I team.

NCCU (1-5) made half of its field goal attempts (24-for-48), including 47.1 percent from behind the arch (8-of-17), and 73.9 percent (17-for-23) from the free-throw line.

On the other hand, Tennessee Tech (1-4) connected on only 40.0 percent of its field goal attempts, including an abysmal 1-of-21 (4.8 percent) from three-point range, and 61.9 percent (13-of-21) from the foul line.

NCCU had three Eagles score in double figures, topped by a solid all-around effort by senior Charles Futrell with 18 points, seven rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocked shots.

NCCU junior transfer Ashton Sauls scored a season-high 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor, including a perfect 3-for-3 from long range, and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Joshua Worthy hit double figures for the second straight game with 10 points to go along with a team-best eight boards and two rejections for the victors.

TTU, which finished in third place in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 19-13 overall record last season, received a double-double performance from junior 6-9 center Daniel Northern with career-highs of 18 points and 14 rebounds. Senior forward Amadi McKenzie added 15 points and eight caroms for the visiting Golden Eagles.

NCCU never trailed in the game and went into the locker room with a 38-31 lead at the break. The host Eagles' cushion grew to as much as 12 points (69-57) after an old-fashioned three-point play by junior guard J'Mell Walters with 6:16 left to play.

Tech responded with four straight points by senior guard Anthony Fisher to trim the deficit to 69-61 with 4:30 on the clock.

After NCCU scored on a lay-up by Futrell from Bryan Ayala, one of eight assists on the night for the junior guard, TTU ripped off seven unanswered points to make it a one-possession game, 71-68, with 2:27 remaining.

Futrell drained a much-needed baseline jumper with 1:43 left to end the drought and give the Eagles a 73-68 advantage. Fisher reduced the margin back to three points (73-70) on a drive to the basket at 1:18.

Following two failed possessions by each team, TTU forced a turnover in front of its bench with 12 seconds left. After a timeout, the Golden Eagles' Fisher managed to get off three 3-point attempts, but they all missed the mark and the buzzer sounded to provide NCCU with the victory.

"I am really happy for these kids," said NCCU head coach Henry Dickerson following the historic win. "After what they have been through the beginning of this season, they just needed a win. I have never had a group that wanted to win so much and work so hard to get it. I am so proud of these guys."

NCCU hits the road again on Saturday (Nov. 24) to face Davidson College at 2 p.m.