BROOKLYN, N.Y. – North Carolina Central University led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but LIU Brooklyn rallied back and topped the Eagles by one point, 78-77 at the Barclays Center.

NCCU (1-2) found itself down early as LIU Brooklyn (3-0) jumped out to a 9-4 lead within the first six minutes.  After a couple of free throws for the Eagles, Dante Holmes (Balitmore, Md.) nailed a three to bring NCCU level at nine all.

Shortly after that, NCCU rattled off a 9-0 run to pull in front 20-12, and would hold on to the lead to the break, up 38-34.

In the second half, LIU Brooklyn came back to the floor with a burst of energy to pull within two, but NCCU would create some distance on a 14-4 run to lead by 12, 54-42.  The Eagles were spurred by Holmes who made his first three shots from downtown, and finished the day with a career-high 26 points.

Jamal Ferguson (Norfolk, Va.) was also a major factor in the second half with 11 points, all scored after the break.  He was efficient during those 20 minutes, going 4-5 from the floor and made all three of his free throw attempts.

LIU Brooklyn attempted to push its way back into the contest, but NCCU was able to keep the Blackbirds at an arm's length, keeping its 12 point cushion up to about midway through the half.

The Blackbirds went on a 12-1 run and knotted the game at 67 with 6:55 to go, lifted by a three-pointer by Joel Hernandez (Teaneck, N.J.).  Hernandez was one of four Blackbirds to reach double-digits with a 16 points effort.

The Eagles responded by pulling back in front by four by way of a jumper from Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) and a pair of free throws from Jay Copeland (Suffolk, Va.), but Hernandez scored the next four points for LIU Brooklyn to make the game square again at 71.

LIU Brooklyn finally edged back into lead for the first time since 12:21 in the first half, up 73-71 with 2:47 to go after a pair of free throws from Aakim Saintill (West Orange, N.J.), and that would begin an exciting closing sequence.

Down 77-74 with 1:24 left, the Eagles dug in and tied the game after A.J. Lynch (Mobile, Ala.) nicked the ball at midcourt and drove to the lane for a layup with 36 seconds to go.  Saintil returned to the free throw line with 24 seconds left but only made the front end of the pair, giving the Eagles one more chance to win the game.

NCCU tried to work the ball into the paint, but the Blackbirds stood firm and denied the shot opportunity, and the Eagles fell for the second time this season.  NCCU next takes on Quinnipiac in Hamden, Conn. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 PM.