NORFOLK, Va. - In a battle of conference unbeaten teams, North Carolina Central University overcame 24 personal fouls with 24 points from senior Jordan Parks and the first career double-double from junior Dante Holmes to earn a tough 60-56 road victory over Norfolk State University on Saturday evening in Echols Hall.
 
NCCU (13-5, 5-0 MEAC) led by as much as 10 points after intermission when Holmes knocked down a three-pointer at 17:09 to give the Eagles a 38-28 advantage.
 
That's when the whistles started sounding. Norfolk State (11-9, 4-1 MEAC) scored eight unanswered points in less than three minutes with three fouls called against the visitors.
 
A jumper by NSU guard Jeff Short, who finished with a career-high 31 points, tied the score at 45-45 at the 9:32 mark. A layup by RaShid Gaston at 8:45 provided the Spartans with a 47-45 lead, their first of the second half, then a free throw by Gaston at 7:07 gave Norfolk State its largest advantage at 48-45. 
 
The Eagles responded minutes later with back-to-back three-pointers by senior point guard Nimrod Hilliard and Holmes to put NCCU back on top 53-48 with 4:29 remaining.
 
A steal and layup by Short brought the Spartans to within one point, 56-55, with a minute on the clock, but a back-door pass by Holmes to Parks resulted in a two-handed slam to extend NCCU's cushion to 58-55 with 35 seconds left.
 
On the ensuing possession, NCCU 6-11 junior center Nate Maxey blocked his 32nd shot of the season, then banked home a free throw to preserve the victory for the Eagles.
 
Holmes shot 6 of 11 from the field, including 4 of 6 from behind the arch, to finish with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assist and three steals. Hilliard, who was 3-for-5 from long distance, tallied 13 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Eagles.
 
Of NCCU's 24 personal fouls, 15 came in the second half. The Spartans shot 31 free throws, but only converted 19 (61.3 percent).
 
NCCU returns to conference action on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hampton University.