DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University closes the 2018 calendar year and nonconference schedule at home against Wilberforce in what will be the first meeting between the two programs. The Eagles will open up the MEAC schedule at home as well on January 5 against Bethune-Cookman.
GAME NOTES
2018-19 Regular Season
North Carolina Central (4-9, 0-0 MEAC)
Vs.
Wilberforce (2-11, 0-1 NAIA Division II Independents)
Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 – 2:00 p.m.
McDougald-McLendon Arena – Durham, N.C.
Video/Audio: NCCU Sports Network
Stats: NCCUEaglePride.com
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
STARTING FIVE:
1. NCCU has won its last five home nonconference games.
2. NCCU has won 12 consecutive games at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
3. NCCU is 26-4 at home since the 2016-17 season.
4. NCCU has shot over 50 percent from the floor four times this season.
5. NCCU went 6-8 in non-conference play in the 2017-18 season.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Wilberforce has barely been home in the 2018-19 season so far, as it has played just two home contests, and are 2-10 away from home. The Bulldogs fell in their last contest at Shawnee State University, 76-103.
LAST FIVE VS WILBERFORCE:
First Meeting
LONG ROAD AHEAD
NCCU will play just four games at home at McDougald-McLendon Arena before January, the fewest since the 2014-15 season where the Eagles also hosted four bouts.
THREE IN FIVE
NCCU made its third NCAA Tournament appearance within the last five years, and the Eagles are still on the hunt for their first win. NCCU's first trip was as a No. 14 seed against Iowa State, and the Eagles were defeated 93-75 during the 2014 tournament. In 2017, the Eagles also went to Dayton for the First Four and were felled by UC Davis, 67-63. During the 2018 tournament, the Eagles were bested by Texas Southern, 46-64.
STICKY FINGERS
North Carolina Central University tied a Division I school record with 23 steals against Christendom on Nov. 28, matching the mark set against Johnson & Wales on Nov. 12, 2012. Redshirt freshman
Nicolas Fennell also recorded eight steals to tie for second-most in a single game in the DI era.
50-50
NCCU shot over 50 percent in back-to-back games for the first time since 2017 when the Eagles shot 62.9 percent against Warren Wilson and 51.1 percent at George Mason for a two-game percentage of 57.0 with 67 made field goals. The Eagles did it again on Nov. 24 and 28 against Southern (53.1%) and Christendom (58.3%) for a combined 55.7 percent. Here's a look at the Eagles' best two-game shooting performances in the Division I era.
60.7% vs. JWU, at MDES (Dec. 2-5, 2014, 74 FG)
59.4% vs. BSC, at MVSU (Dec. 20-22, 2014, 74 FG)
58.6% vs. VUL, at FAMU (Jan. 8-12, 2013, 71 FG)
57.5% vs. MSU, vs. BCU (Feb. 21-28, 2015, 58 FG)
57.1% at NSU, vs. HOW (March 6-12, 2014, 57 FG)
57.0% vs. WWC, at GMU (Nov. 18-20, 2018, 67 FG)
55.7% vs. SU, vs. CC (Nov. 24-28, 2018, 68 FG)
