Jan. 11, 2010
Final Stats
DURHAM, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com)- North Carolina Central University returned to a boisterous scene at McDougald-McLendon Gym, as the Eagles took on the High Point Panthers for the second time this season, falling in a heavyweight boxing match type contest 58-55 on Monday night.
It was yet another gutsy performance by an Eagle team that trailed the hot Panthers by just five after the first 20 minutes with both teams holding a lead at some point in the first frame. Junior C.J. Wilkerson paced the Eagles with 11 points in the first frame.
The second half had all 2,079 fans in attendance sitting in the edge of their seats with four ties and five lead changes setting the stage for the dramatic ending.
With 14:08 to go, the Panthers grabbed an 11 point lead at 46-35 following a Jairus Simms three-pointer, taking control of the team's fourth meeting for the time being. Over the next nine minutes, NCCU clawed its way back to tie the ballgame up at 51 all after a Vincent Davis (Nashville, Tenn.) layup and the foul with 5:18 remaining. Davis went on to hit the free-throw and that's when the drama unfolded.
With NCCU up by two with 2:26 to go, HPU's Eugene Harris hit a clutch two-pointer tying the contest up at 55. Down the stretch the Eagles had numerous opportunities to take the lead back, but came up short, and with :36 seconds to go, Harris hit a final backbreaking three-pointer to giving the Panthers the lead for good at 58-55.
The Eagles had one last possession to tie the ballgame up as time wound down, and unfortunately couldn't hit the shots when it mattered the most missing its last five shots to fall to High Point 58-55. HPU has won all four previous meetings between the two.
Despite the loss, the Eagles were led by both Wilkerson who scored 17 points, while Vincent Davis dropped in 14 points. NCCU welcome back Dijon Manns into the lineup after missing four games due to injury as the freshman contributed greatly in the post with 6 points and 5 rebounds along with 2 blocks on the night.
NCCU (2-15) has lost eight-in-a-row and prepares for the 2010 B.C. Powder Classic which takes place this Friday and Saturday at McDougald-McLendon Gym. The Eagles will take on Tennessee Temple following the Apprentice School/Chowan matchup on Friday night, and will battle the Apprentice School in the finale after Chowan and Tennessee Temple face off on Saturday.
To stay up-to-date with NCCU Athletics, log on to NCCUEaglePride.com, the official website of the NCCU Athletics Department.
