NACOGDOCHES, Texas – North Carolina Central University trailed Stephen F. Austin by just two points at the half, but a strong second half from the Lumberjacks proved to be the difference as the hosts secured a 94-64 win over the Eagles at William R. Johnson Coliseum.
 
NCCU (0-1) started the game with a 10-4 run, started by Randy Miller Jr. (Odenton, Md.) as he dropped a three-pointer to open the scoring for the 2019-20 season.  After that, SFA (2-0) was able to wrest control as it went out to a lead of as many as 15 in the first half with 9:30 remaining.
 
The Eagles weren't discouraged by the deficit as they rallied to pull ahead of the Lumberjacks narrowly before the end of the half.  From the point that the Lumberjacks notched their 15-point advantage, the Eagles rattled off an impressive 23-6 run to grab a 38-36 lead with just 47 seconds left in the period.  SFA tied the contest with a pair of free throws, and then a jumper from Kevon Harris (Ellenwood, Ga.) with just two seconds left in the half sent the Eagles to the midway mark down by two, 40-38. 
 
The second half proved to be a different story as SFA knocked down six three pointers and pulled away from the Eagles on the way to the final tally of 94-64.  Miller and Nicolas Fennell (Bowie, Md.) both put up a joint team-high 12 points, and Jibri Blount had a solid game with 10 points and six rebounds.
 
Harris led all scorers with 32 points and a game-high seven rebounds.
 
NCCU will come home to McDougald-McLendon Arena for its home opener on Monday, Nov. 11 against USC Upstate at 7:00 p.m.