Game Statistics
CORAL GABLES, FLA. (NCCUEaglePride.com)- The North Carolina Central University men’s basketball team trailed Miami by just a dozen points following a David Best (Raleigh, N.C.) layup with 16:12 to go in the second half, but a 12-point explosion over the next 3:30 by the Hurricanes saw a close ballgame broken wide open as NCCU fell 88-65 inside the BankUnited Center on Friday night.
In the third meeting between the Eagles and Canes, the first half was rather close considering that NCCU recorded 14 personal fouls, trailed the Canes 26-9 in the rebounding battle, allowed Miami to get 20 seconds chance points, and was outscored off the bench 19-2. Not to mention that the Eagles shot just one free throw in the first half while the host Hurricanes shot 11-for-13 at the charity stripe. With all that said, NCCU’s deficit after the first 20 minutes was only 12 at 43-31.
Junior transfer Landon Clement (Raleigh, N.C.) and Wilkerson teamed up to go 5-for-9 from the outside in the first half but Clement cooled off in the second frame going 0-for-6 to finish the night 2-for-12 from three-point range.
Miami’s Adrian Thomas, Garrius Adams, and Rion Brown hit consecutive three pointers followed by a Raphael Akpejiori three-point play pushed the Hurricanes ahead at 61-37 with 12:42 to go. Miami cruised the rest of the way keeping the Eagles from cutting the margin below 19.
Wilkerson carried the Eagles on his back with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting including 3-for-6 from the perimeter. Clement was the only other Eagle to finish in double figures with 10 points despite the frosty second frame.
Miami freshman Rion Brown led the Hurricanes with 17 points while Reggie Johnson recorded a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Overall, the Eagles shot 44.8 percent from the field, but was a disappointing 5-for-21 (23.8%) from three-point range and 8-for-18 (44.4%) from the free throw line. Both Dijon Manns (Raleigh, N.C.)
and Best fouled out in the contest as NCCU was called for 24 fouls.
With three assists, Michael Glasker (Newport News, Va.) is just six helpers shy of passing former Eagle Edward Roper (248 assists, 1975-79) for ninth all-time in career assists. Glasker currently has 243 career assits at NCCU.
NCCU is 1-2 on the year and extended its road losing streak to 42 games. The Eagles last victory away from the Bull City dates back to Jan. 21, 2008 a 65-61 win over Coppin State.
After a few days off, the Eagles get back on the road as NCCU heads up to Bloomington, Ind. for its second meeting in as many years with the Indiana Hoosiers. Tip off from historic Assembly Hall is set for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23.
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