HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – North Carolina Central University senior guard Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) recorded multiple double digit categories for the second-straight game with 32 points and 10 rebounds to help the Eagles to a tough 82-74 win over Northern Kentucky University on Saturday, Nov. 26 at BB&T Arena.

NKU (3-3) bolted ahead of NCCU (3-2) early in the contest as they put together a 10-2 run to lead by as many as nine at 17-8 with over 12 minutes to play.  From there the Eagle defense kicked in to not only take the lead, but hold NKU scoreless for the final six and a half minutes of the first period to lead 42-29 at the break.

Cole continued his hot shooting as he picked up 15 points in the first period along with five rebounds and three assists.  The Eagles strung together 20 consecutive points bridging the intermission, but NKU came storming back into the game, cutting the lead to four at 53-49 midway through the second half.

Cole teamed up with Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) to help propel the Eagles forward as Graf scored 11 of his 17 points in the second half.

The finale of the contest was tightly contested as Drew McDonald (Cold Spring, Ky.) and Lavone Holland II (Louisville, Ky.) combined for strong finishes down the stretch.  McDonald picked up 13 of his joint team-high 20 in the second half and Holland scored 10 of his 20 after the break.

However, the Eagles were able to hold off NKU's charge, and an emphatic windmill from Pablo Rivas (Phoenix, Ariz.) put a cap on an 82-74 win for NCCU.  Rivas finished the contest with 13 points and seven boards for the maroon and gray.

NCCU finishes up its trip at Missouri on Monday, Nov. 28 and the game will be carried live on the NCCU Sports Network and broadcast on SEC Network+.