DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University led by as many as 19 in the second half, but McNeese State mounted a comeback for a wild finish, and the Eagles were able to hold on for a 77-71 win on Thursday, Dec. 14 at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
McNeese (2-6) was able to grab a brief lead over NCCU (5-8) after the Eagles scored first, but the hosts reclaimed the advantage and took a 10-point lead to the break at 42-32.  Brandon Goldsmith (Raleigh, N.C.) powered the Eagles forward in the first 20 minutes, delivering 16 points and five points with three steals on a 7-for-9 shooting performance.  Goldsmith finished with a career-high 18 points and eight boards for the maroon and gray.
 
NCCU came out of the break on fire with a 11-2 run over the first five minutes to lead by 19 at 53-34, but the Cowboys knocked down some critical three-pointers to trim the lead and eventually get in front at 65-64 with 5:31 remaining.
 
The lead would change hands three more times from that point, but the Eagles were standing at the end with a 77-71 final.
 
NCCU was dominant inside with a 46-28 advantage in points in the paint, helped by a double-double from Raasean Davis (Chicago, Ill.) – his fourth of the year – with 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Pablo Rivas (Colón, Panama) came close to a double-double of his own with 17 points and nine boards, and Jordan Perkins (Greensboro, N.C.) dished out a game-high eight assists with eight points.
 
James Harvey (Amite, La.) led the Cowboys with 16 points and six rebounds, and he was one of four players in double-digits for his squad.  Stephen Ugochukwu (Lewisville, Texas) put in 13 points with six boards, and Jacob Ledoux (Port Barre, La.) contributed 14 points.  Kalob Ledoux (Port Barre, La.) put in 10 points, and Quatarrius Wilson (Mobile, Ala.) led in rebounding with 11 boards and seven points.
 
The Eagles will rest for a couple weeks for the holiday before bidding farewell to 2017 on Dec. 30 against St. Andrews at 2:00 p.m. at McDougald-McLendon Arena.