DOVER, Del. – A late rally from Delaware State University proved to be the difference as North Carolina Central University fell 71-60 in their snow-postponed game at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Winter Storm Jonas lingered into the start of the first half as both teams combined to miss their first 11 shots.  Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) caught fire first as he poured in 12 points over the first half, and Dante Holmes (Baltimore, Md.) chipped in six points and six rebounds.

NCCU (7-14, 2-5 MEAC) and DSU (3-17, 2-4 MEAC) traded buckets in the first half, and after the Eagles led by as many as 11 at 28-17 with 4:36 to play in the first 20 minutes.

The Hornets came storming back heading to the break with help from Kavon Waller (Chester, Va.) and DeAndre Haywood (Paterson, N.J.).  Waller made two of three treys in the half, and Haywood added 13 points while shooting four of five from the floor.

NCCU was able to keep the Hornets at bay over the tail end of the half, and carried a 32-31 lead at the intermission.

DSU started the second period on a 10-0 run over the first three minutes and hopped in front 41-32.   Big three-pointers made on consecutive possessions from Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) and Holmes helped jump-start the Eagles and they eventually pulled in front on a triple from Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) at 47-46 with 13:29 to go.  Madison kept the run going from there with clutch back-to-back treys to reach his game-high of 18 points.

The game remained tight in the second half until DSU rattled off a 13-3 run over four minutes with 6:39 to play to pull in front 70-60, and that would seal the game.

Holmes finished the game with a solid 14 points and six rebounds for NCCU, and Cole came close to a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

The Eagles will next head south to visit Florida A&M on Monday, Feb. 1.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.