Box Score LAS VEGAS – North Carolina Central University was defeated by Southern University 68-63 in the Third Round of the Global Sports Classic at COX Pavilion in Las Vegas on Monday, Dec. 21.  The Eagles will finish the tournament against Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

NCCU (3-8, 1-1 MEAC) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead over Southern (8-4) by making three-straight field goals while keeping the Jaguars off the board.  Southern didn't stay down long, and was able to claw into the lead with the help of 10 points from Shawn Prudhomme (Beaumont, Texas) in the first half.

Southern rode a 15-7 run over the final 7:31 of the first half to lead 27-21 at the break, and kept the lead for the rest of the game.

NCCU hung tight with Southern in the second half, drawing to within four on four separate occasions, but Southern was able to keep the Eagles at bay, seeing the game to its conclusion.

Pat Cole (Newark, N.J.) continued to build on his strong start with a game-high 19 points and four rebounds, aided by Dante Holmes (Baltimore, Md.) with 12 points and five boards.

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