Dec. 3, 2008

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DURHAM, N.C. - High Point University scored 11 unanswered points in the middle of the second half to spoil North Carolina Central University's home-opener by handing the host Eagles a 73-64 setback inside McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium in Durham, N.C. on Wednesday night.

NCCU rookie guard Jamar Briscoe scored a game-high 26 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from long range, and 8-of-11 from the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Vincent Davis chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two steals for the Eagles, while senior guard J'Mell Walters added 11 points and three assists, and junior center Stevy Worah-Ozimo contributed six points 11 rebounds, three rejections and two steals.

High Point (3-4) was paced by sophomore forward Earnest Bridges with 21 points and five rebounds, while junior guard Eugene Harris collected 14 points and four steals for the Panthers.

In a game that saw seven ties and 16 lead changes, NCCU (0-7) enjoyed its first halftime lead of the season when Briscoe nailed a 30-foot runner at the buzzer to put the Eagles on top 35-34 at intermission.

NCCU's lead was 49-48 after a pair of free throws by Briscoe at the 10:52 mark of the second half when the Panthers ripped off an 11-0 run to take a 59-49 advantage with 8:01 left in the contest.

The Eagles managed to trim the deficit to 59-56 on a three-pointer by Briscoe with 6:49 on the clock, but HPU answered with a 9-0 run to seal the victory.

Up next, NCCU travels to Des Moines, Iowa to challenge Drake University on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. (Central Time).