TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – North Carolina Central University got going early and kept the pedal to the metal as the Eagles ran away from Florida A&M University 81-63 on Monday, Feb. 1 at the Al Lawson Center.

NCCU (8-14, 3-5 MEAC) started the first half hot propelled by three timely treys from Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) and Dante Holmes (Baltimore, Md.).  Madison hit two, and Holmes added another as the Eagles took the lead and held on to it for the majority of the first half.  NCCU led FAMU (6-15, 2-6 MEAC) by as many as 15 in the first half.

FAMU strung together a few three-pointers from Malcolm Bernard (Middleburg, Fla.) and K'Ja Johnson (Douglasville, Ga.) down the stretch in the first 20 minutes, but the Eagles took a 43-30 lead to the intermission.

The Eagles forced FAMU into eight turnovers in the first half, and recorded seven steals.  Holmes nabbed three, and Madison had two to lead NCCU.

The Eagles expanded the margin in the second half to lead by as many as 19, and outpaced FAMU to the finish line, 81-63.

Holmes and Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) tied for the game high in scoring with 17 points, with Holmes coming two rebounds shy of his first double-double of the season.  Jeremiah Ingram (Detroit, Mich.) picked up 11 points, and Kyle Benton (Long Beach, Calif.) put in eight points and five rebounds.

NCCU will rest up to host North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 4:00 p.m. inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.

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