DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University had a couple of opportunities at the rim in the waning seconds of the game, but couldn't get a shot to fall as Delaware State University defeated the Eagles, 69-68 at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
 
With the loss, NCCU (9-6, 0-1 MEAC) had its five-game home-court winning streak snapped.
 
DSU (5-12, 2-0 MEAC) led for a majority of the first half until a three from Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) catapulted the Eagles into the lead at 27-25 with 4:34 to play in the first 20 minutes.  NCCU held on to that lead through the closing moments of the period until a half-court heave from Devin Morgan (Chester, Va.) put the Hornets back in front, 34-33 at the intermission.
 
DSU sprinted ahead of the Eagles 11-0 in the first three minutes of the contest, but that would be the biggest margin in the game as NCCU kept the Hornets within striking distance all throughout the second half by not letting the Hornets lead by more than seven.
 
Madison was a major contributor for the maroon and gray as he nailed six three-pointers, in his second game with six-plus treys this season, and his fourth in his NCCU career, on his way to a game-high 22 points.
 
Kyle Benton (Long Beach, Calif.) ripped down his second-straight double-double in his first two games back from injury as he collected 14 points and 13 rebounds.  Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) got his teammates involved with a game-high eight assists with 12 points, and hit some key three-pointers late in the contest along with Madison and Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) who picked up 16 points with six assists and five rebounds.
 
Dana Raysor (Willingboro, N.J.) was the high scorer for DSU with 15 points, followed by Kavon Waller (Chester, Va.) who picked up 12 points.
 
NCCU returns to the hardwood on the very next day, Jan. 11 to host Maryland Eastern Shore at 6:00 p.m. at McDougald-McLendon Arena.