YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – North Carolina Central University pushed past a 16-point deficit to take a lead in the second half against Youngstown State, but the Penguins proved tough down the stretch to take a 66-60 decision over the Eagles at the Beeghly Center on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
 
YSU (2-2) stretched out a big lead in the first half by knocking down 41.9 percent of its attempts, but NCCU (1-4) was able to pick up the pace and shoot 40 percent itself to draw within seven at the break, 38-31.
 
The Eagles reversed roles with the Penguins in the second half, and knotted the game at 45 with 11:27 remaining after a 9-0 run.  NCCU finally took its first lead of the match at 56-54 with 5:39 to go in regulation after a pair of free throws from Randy Miller Jr. (Odenton, Md.), but YSU closed the contest on a 12-4 run after that point on the way to a 66-60 win.
 
Miller was clutch at the free throw line for the Eagles as he made 11-of-12 attempts on the way to a game-high 20 points.  Jibri Blount (Pittsburgh, Pa.) collected 15 points with eight rebounds, and Evan Clayborne (Dayton, Ohio) corralled a team-high nine boards with five points.  Jordan Perkins (Greensboro, N.C.) also filled the stat sheet with seven points, five assists, and four rebounds. 
 
Naz Bohannon (Lorain, Ohio) led the hosts with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Darius Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio) posted 17 points for the Penguins as well.  Geoff Hamerian (Morgantown, W. Va.) was the third Penguin in double-digits with 14 points
 
The Eagles return home on Thursday, Nov. 21 to host Bluefield State at 7:00 p.m. inside McDouagld-McLendon Arena for the first meeting between the two sides since 1954.