GREENSBORO, N.C.-  Behind C.J. Wilkerson’s magical 41-point night performance the Eagles of North Carolina Central University outlasted the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University in overtime 90-84 in front of 6,124 fans at the Corbett Sports Center in Greensboro, N.C. on Monday night.

 

In the first meeting between these two programs since the 2002-03 season, the atmosphere was electric from the beginning as was the NCCU offensive attack. LeVelle Moton’s squad was a scorching 19-for-35 (54.3%) from the field and 8-for-14 (57.1%) from the outside scoring its second-most points in a half with 48 while A&T struggled to get going and turned the ball over 11 times, which the Eagles converted into 15 points.

 

After a 12-4 run to start the ballgame the Eagles increased its lead to 21 at 31-10 with 9:42 left in the first half, when the Eagles scored 12 points in five possessions. 

 

With 5:55 to go in the first frame, NCCU grabbed a 23-point lead when junior Tramar Beaman (Williamston, N.J.) hit a clutch three-pointer as the Eagles led 38-15.

 

NCCU’s highest margin became 25 points at 44-19 with 2:33 to go in the half following a Nick Chasten (Raleigh, N.C.) layup. The Eagles took a 48-26 lead into the locker room.

 

Wilkerson paced the Eagles with 21 points in the first half, while Chasten added 10.

 

The second half showed why this rivalry is as special as it is, the Aggies chipped away little by little, and the Eagles got ice cold from the field, hitting just 4-of-20 (20.0%) shots in the second stanza while A&T heated up to the tune of 14-for-34 that included 18-for-21 from the foul line to help cut into the deficit.

 

NC A&T outscored the Eagles in the second half 49-27 while NCCU struggled to finish 16-22 at the line as the Aggies continued to rally, sending the home crowd into a frenzy .

 

With 1:12 to go, the Aggie faithful saw the deficit cut to three following Adrian Powell’s layup and the foul which put the score at 72-69 in favor of NCCU. Following two made free throws by Wilkerson, the Aggies cut the lead to three again on two made free throws by A&T’s Thomas Coleman with 34 seconds left.

 

With the score at 74-71, a turnover by Emanuel Chapman (Raleigh, N.C.) allowed Nic Simpson to cut it to one at 74-73 wih 29 ticks on the clock. 

 

After fouling Michael Glasker (Newport News, Va.) sending him to the line, he made one of two allowing A&T to tie it at 75 with two made free throws by Marc Hill with 16 seconds left.

 

After a Wilkerson miss and a Simpson long range heave almost went in, the game was sent to overtime tied at 75. 

 

In the extra frame, it seemed as if the Aggies had the upper hand after A&T’s Coleman hit two foul shots just 17 seconds in giving them a 77-75 lead, their first since the Aggies led 2-0, but Wilkerson made the play of the game by getting the hoop and the harm that not only tied the game up at 77, but fouled Coleman out of the contest with 4:06 left in overtime.

 

It went back and forth until Chasten’s wide open layup gave the Eagles an 80-79 lead with 2:28 left, a lead the maroon and gray would never relinquish.

 

The clutch play of the contest came from Chapman with NCCU ahead 82-79 and the clock under one minute. Wilkerson dished the ball outside to Chapman as the shot clock was winding down, and the freshman banked in a three-pointer that sealed the deal for NCCU putting the Eagles up 85-79 with 48 seconds left, propelling Moton’s squad to the dramatic 90-84 win over the host Aggies.

 

Wilkerson’s new career-high was the most points scored by any Eagle since Willie Jennette scored 43 points against Gardner-Webb on Dec. 14, 1985, and the Oxford native was an astounding 11-for-20 from the field (55%), 4-for-7 (57%) from three-point range, and a perfect 15-for-15 from the foul line.

 

Chasten contributed 17 points and 7 rebounds, Clement added 13 points including four three-pointers for NCCU.

 

The Eagles (8-9) have another quick turnaround as NCCU is in the midst of five games in nine days as they head up to Macomb, Ill to take on the Fighting Leathernecks of Western Illinois University on Wednesday night January 26 at 8:00 p.m. from Western Hall.

 

To stay up-to-date with NCCU Athletics, log on to NCCUEaglePride.com, the official website of the NCCU Athletics Department.