DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University had the final shot of the game at the buzzer, but a three-pointer wouldn't fall as Savannah State broke the Eagles' 13-game winning streak, 74-73 at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Monday, Feb. 27.
 
SSU (12-16, 9-6 MEAC) used its up-tempo offense to its advantage to get ahead early, and the Tigers were remarkably accurate in the first half.  SSU shot 56.7 percent from the floor and knocked down six three pointers to take a 44-36 lead over NCCU (22-7, 13-2 MEAC) at the break.
 
Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) pushed the Eagles in the first half with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Dexter McClanahan (Stockbridge, Ga.) was the driving force for the Tigers in the first 20 minutes with 15 points as he made three triples.
 
The Eagles kept the deficit below 10 points for the majority of the second half, and also outscored the Tigers 37-30 after the break.  NCCU trailed by 11 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, but then rattled off a 13-4 run to lead 63-61 after a big three made by Ron Trapps (Lancaster, S.C.) with 6:30 to play.
 
The final stretch of the game saw the score tied twice, and the lead changed hands three times, most notably after a corner three from Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) capped a 5-0 run to put the Eagles ahead 73-72 with just 1:28 to go.
 
But, a jumper from McClanahan shortly after that gave him a game-high 23 points, and the Tigers the lead for good.
 
Kyle Benton (Long Beach, Calif.) had a tremendous game in his final home outing of the season as he earned his third double-double of the campaign with 18 points and 16 rebounds, with 10 boards coming on the offensive end.  Cole finished with a team-high 21 points, six rebounds and five assists.
 
Robert Kelly (Powder Springs, Ga.) was another top performer for SSU with 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
NCCU finishes the season on the road at North Carolina A&T on Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.