GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina Central University locked into a long-range battle with North Carolina A&T as 23 total three-pointers rained into the bucket, but the Aggies came away with a late 93-87 win at the Corbett Sports Center on Thursday, March 3.

With the win, NC A&T (10-21, 7-9 MEAC) takes the season series over NCCU (12-18, 7-9 MEAC) for the first time since the Eagles returned to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and finish ahead of the Eagles for the first time in the same span.

NCCU ran into another hot shooting team as NC A&T knocked down over half of their shots by going 14-for-27, and half of those makes were three-pointers.  The Aggies knocked down seven of 15 attempts from the perimeter in the first 20 minutes to lead 40-38 at the midway point.

Even with the strong shooting, the Eagles powered their way through by outscoring NC A&T 16-10 in points in the paint.  Jeremiah Ingram (Detroit, Mich.) was a big factor for that number as he chipped in seven points.  Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) fired back at the Aggies from the perimeter with eight points in the first half, knocking down both of his treys and both free throws.

The second half proved to be just as tight, if not tighter.  The Eagles trailed for a majority of the half, but stayed close until a trifecta barrage from Madison helped pushed the Eagles in front briefly at 72-71 with eight minutes to play.  Madison hit three-consecutive treys and finished the night with a total of six three-pointers and 20 points.

Dante Holmes (Baltimore, Md.) came alive in the second act as well with 16 points on his way to a team-high 21 points.  Holmes and Madison combined to drill 10 of 15 three pointers.

Bruce Beckford (Silver Spring, Md.) turned in a strong performance in the second half for the Aggies to get them in front in the closing stages with 15 of his 20 points, but Sam Hunt (Greensboro, N.C.) stole the show with 19 points after the break, including the free throws at the end of the game to secure the win.  Hunt finished with a game high 29 points, and Beckford added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Kyle Benton (Long Beach, Calif.) chipped in nine points and five rebounds.

NCCU now waits to see who they'll meet in the first round of the MEAC Tournament at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

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