RUSTON, La. - North Carolina Central University rallied to take the lead at the end of the first half, but an 11-0 run from Louisiana Tech to start the second half made the difference as the Eagles fell, 71-50 on Friday, Nov. 27.

The first 20 minutes of play were tight as neither team allowed the other to lead by more than five points.  LA Tech (5-0) ran out to a 5-0 lead at the start of the game, but NCCU (1-4) responded with a 9-2 run to take the lead.

Dante Holmes (Baltimore, Md.) was again a catalyst for the Eagles as he hit the three-pointer to move NCCU in front.  Holmes scored seven points in each half to lead NCCU with 14 points and nine rebounds in the game.

Both sides went back and forth throughout the half, and LA Tech was able to pull out to a five point lead again with 6:15 to play in the half.  The Eagles would then close the half on a 10-2 run to lead 27-24 at halftime.

A key factor allowing NCCU to take the lead was its spectacular free-throw shooting in the first half as the Eagles made all 12 of their attempts.  More so, ever NCCU player that checked in during the first half recorded at least two points during the 20 minutes of play.

The second half was a different story as LA Tech exploded to an 11-0 run from the onset of the period, and held a tight grip to the lead for the rest of the game. 

NCCU utilized a 6-0 run to pull within five with 13:07 to go, but LA Tech would balloon the lead from there, leading by as many as 25 in the half.

NCCU made 17 of 21 free throws, but LA Tech left 11 points on the table as the Bulldogs shot 15 off 26 from the charity stripe.  Also, while the Eagles out-rebounded LA Tech 49 to 43, the Bulldogs blocked 10 of NCCU's shots.

The Eagles return to McDougald-McLendon Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3 to defend home court against Mississippi Valley State before opening conference play at home against Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, Dec. 5.