March 2, 2009
Final Stats
SAVANNAH, Ga. - North Carolina Central University had four chances to tie the score or take a lead with less than four minutes to play, but the Eagles missed each time resulting in a 69-64 road loss at Savannah State University on Monday night.
NCCU hit 4-of-6 free throws in the final minute of the first half to take a 36-35 lead into the locker room at intermission.
The Eagles, however, missed their first six field goal attempts of the second half as the host Tigers posted a 9-1 run to go on top 44-37 at 15:03.
Savannah State's cushion grew to as much as 12 points (53-41) with 10:50 left in the contest, but the Eagles mounted a 12-2 charge to trim the gap to 55-53 at the 5:09 mark.
NCCU had the ball four more times when trailing by just two points in the final four minutes, but each time the Eagles came away empty. At one point, it appeared that NCCU freshman forward Nick Chasten came away with a steal out of a full-court trap that would have resulted in a game-tying basket by the Eagles, but Chasten was whistled for a foul instead.
SSU made six straight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
The two teams combined for 48 personal fouls and 71 free throws.
"With that number of free throws, there was no rhythm to the game," said NCCU head coach Henry Dickerson. "Still, to play on the road and to battle like we did, I could not be more proud of this team. Their heart has grown so big. The last four or five games we are so much better, because our effort has been so good."
Seven of the nine Eagles to hit the hardwood scored, including three in double figures. NCCU rookie guard Jamar Briscoe recorded a team-high 18 points, while NCCU senior guard Bryan Ayala netted 12 points and now stands just 15 points shy of the 1,000-point career milestone with one game remaining.
Chasten came off the bench for the Eagles to equal a season-high with 15 points to go along with five rebounds and a season-best three steals.
"Nick Chasten played extremely well," Dickerson said. "He came up with some big baskets and made a big steal that he got called for a foul on.
"It came down to a couple of calls here and there and a couple of bounces that did not go our way," said Dickerson.
Nine Tigers scratched the scoring column, topped by senior forward Chris Linton with game-highs of 19 points and nine rebounds.
Savannah State, a team that took Michigan to overtime early in the season, finished its campaign with a 15-14 record.
NCCU (3-27) will play its season finale on March 14 against rival Winston-Salem State in the "Bonus Game" of the 2009 MEAC Tournament inside the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
