SAVANNAH, Ga. – North Carolina Central University led by as many as 14 in the second half, but Savannah State was able to close the gap to send the game to a tense finish, but the Eagles held on for an 82-78 win at Tiger Arena to remain undefeated on the road in MEAC play.
NCCU (10-11, 5-2 MEAC) started the game red-hot as the Eagles made their first five shots from the floor, and
Randy Miller Jr. (Odenton, Md.) made his first three treys. The Eagles as a team shot 57.1 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes, and
Raasean Davis (Chicago, Ill.) went 5-for-5 to gather 12 points and four rebounds at the intermission.
While the Eagles held a 40-34 lead at the half, SSU (5-15, 2-4 MEAC) didn't make it easy as they knocked down seven treys in the first period.
The second half was just as charged as the first, but the Eagles really took charge in the paint and outscored SSU 44-32 inside. The game came to a thrilling conclusion as SSU went on a late run and drew within three with just 1:02 to go. However, the Eagles were able to make their free throws down the stretch, and pull away with an 82-78 victory.
Davis spearheaded the Eagles with a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds, and
Zacarry Douglas (Landover, Md.) pulled down a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Miller went for 20+ for a third consecutive game as he cashed in 22 points with four treys.
Jaquan Dotson (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the Tigers with 18 points and five boards, and Zach Sellers (Cheraw, S.C.) was close behind with 15 points with four rebounds and four assists. John Grant Jr. (Baltimore, Md.) put in three triples for SSU and finished with 13 points.
The Eagles as a team shot 52.6 percent from the floor to eclipse the 50 percent mark for the seventh time this season. The Eagles also won the rebounding battle 45-24.
The Eagles continue their three-game road trip on Saturday, Feb. 2 at Bethune-Cookman. NCCU will then finish the trip on Monday, Feb. 4 against Florida A&M in a nationally televised game on ESPNU at 7:00 p.m.
