PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – North Carolina Central University went right down to the wire for a second consecutive game, but this time came out on top with a 63-60 win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday, Jan. 22 at the Hytche Center.
 
NCCU (11-9, 5-1 MEAC) has now won 12 consecutive matchups with MDES (5-17, 1-6 MEAC) stretching back to Feb. 10, 2010.
 
NCCU got off to a blazing-hot start in the contest as the Eagles rained in threes from Reggie Gardner, Jr. (Bowie, Md.), Jordan Perkins (Greensboro, N.C.) and Zacarry Douglas (Landover, Md.) to put the Eagles ahead of MDES 11-2 within the first two-and-a-half minutes of the game.
 
The Hawks played a tight first half as they rallied to tie the game and pull ahead a few times, but Dominique Reid (Sicklerville, N.J.) hit a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining in the half to send the Eagles to the half ahead 28-27.
 
The Eagles found a similar spark to start the second half as Gardner, Jr. and Perkins combined for eight points within the first five minutes as the Eagles were able to build a lead as many as 12.  However, the Hawks were able to fight back and rally in front briefly in the second half on the back of a strong performance from Logan McIntosh (Atlanta, Ga.) who poured in 18 of his game-high 26 in the second half.
 
The game came down to a final possession for MDES as the Eagles led 63-60 with 0.8 seconds remaining, and John Guerra (Cary, N.C.) capped off his first career start by stepping into the passing lane to tip the ball out of bounds to secure the win for the Eagles.
 
Gardner, Jr. came up with a team-high 19 points for the Eagles, and Davis followed with 16 points, four rebounds and a career-high three blocks.  Perkins flirted with a triple-double in the contest with nine points, nine rebounds and six boards, and Douglas volunteered five points and nine rebounds.  Larry McKnight, Jr. (North Miami, Fla.) came off the bench with eight points.
 
The Eagles as a team were very generous with the basketball as they dished out 20 assists on 22 made baskets.
 
McIntosh wasn't alone in his standout effort for the Hawks as Miryne Thomas (Cleveland, Ohio) collected a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.  Cameron Bacote (Hampton, Va.) put in 11 points with three rebounds.
 
NCCU will renew the rivalry with North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Corbett Center in Greensboro, N.C. with a 4:00 p.m. tip-off.