CHARLESTON, S.C. – North Carolina Central University put together a 10-0 run in the second half but late free throws allowed Charleston Southern to snatch away a 58-53 win on Saturday, Dec. 7 inside the Buccaneer Field House.
 
NCCU (2-8) jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead over CSU (4-5), but the Buccaneers closed the half like the Eagles started it with a run of their own to take a 37-22 lead at the intermission.
 
CSU scored early in the second period to open up a 17-point advantage, but the Eagles eventually found their footing to rattle off a 10-0 run to knot the game at 41 with 10:46 remaining in regulation.  The lead changed hands a couple times down the stretch, but the Buccaneers closed the game on an 8-3 run over the final three minutes to pick up the victory.
 
Evan Clayborne (Dayton, Ohio) came one rebound shy of his first double-double as an Eagle as he posted a season-high 12 points with a game-high nine rebounds.  Jibri Blount (Pittsburgh, Pa.) also had a strong game with 10 points and five rebounds, and he also collected a game-high five assists and three blocks, and swiped three steals.  Mike Melvin (Fayetteville, N.C.) was the third Eagle to reach double-digits in scoring as he notched a season-high 10 points with four assists.
 
The Buccaneers were able to get by the Eagles with help from a game-high 22 points with five caroms from Dontrell Shuler (Columbia, S.C.).  Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (Athens, Ga.) put in 11 points with five rebounds as well, and Duncan LeXander (Davidson, N.C.) contributed eight points with seven boards.
 
The Eagles will finally return home after four games away on Wednesday, Dec. 11 to host Christendom at 7:00 p.m. inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.