NORFOLK, Va. – North Carolina Central University set the tone in the first half of the game where it led by as many as 25 on its way to a 95-60 win over Bethune-Cookman to advance to the semifinal round of the MEAC Tournament on Wednesday, March 8 at Scope Arena.
 
NCCU (23-8) was on fire in the first half as the Eagles shot 54.1 percent from the floor, making 20 out of 37 shots.  The Eagles outscored B-CU (10-22) 32-14 in the paint during the first period, and also did a lot of damage on the fast break by outscoring the Wildcats 18-2.
 
The strong play carried into the second half where NCCU shot over 50 percent again, this time making 53.8 percent of its shots to shoot an even 54.0 percent as a team over the course of the game.  The Eagles also shot 44.4 percent from the perimeter (8-18) and 76 percent from the free throw line (19-25).
 
Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) put on a display with his ninth double-double of the season by scoring 17 points with a game-high 11 rebounds, and also had eight assists to come close to a triple-double once again.  Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) came one helper away from a double-double of his own with a game-high 18 points and nine assists.
 
Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) broke out for five three-pointers for a total of 15 points, and Del'vin Dickerson (Houston, Texas) collected 13 points and six rebounds.
 
The Eagles advance to the semifinal round for the third time in the Division-I era, and will face the winner between fourth-seeded Hampton and fifth-seeded Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Scope Arena.