DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University found itself in a tough game with Savannah State as the lead changed hands 11 times, but the Eagles were able to pull ahead midway through the second half on the way to a 78-69 decision on Senior Day at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday, Feb. 23.
 
With the win, NCCU (14-14, 9-5 MEAC) secured its third consecutive winning season in league play.
 
NCCU led SSU (10-17, 7-6 MEAC) by as many as six in the first half of play, but the Tigers remained in striking distance the entire time, and eventually rallied to take a 27-24 lead at the half.  Neither team shot the ball well in the first 20 minutes, as the two squads combined to shoot 21-for-62 in the first half, and 7-for-32 from the perimeter.
 
The turning point for the Eagles came at the 12:15 mark in the second half, when the maroon and gray reeled off a 10-4 run to turn a one-point lead into six, boosted by six points from Reggie Gardner Jr. (Bowie, Md.).  NCCU went on to eventually lead by as many as 13 down the stretch as it was able to capitalize on free throw opportunities on the way to a 78-69 final tally.
 
Raasean Davis (Chicago, Ill.) secured his 23rd double-double of his career with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Randy Miller Jr. (Odenton, Md.) eclipsed the 20-point mark for the ninth time of the year with a game-high 24 points.  Jibri Blount (Pittsburgh, Pa.) nearly picked up a double-double of his own with 16 points and nine boards, and Gardner finished with 13 points.
 
Jaquan Dotson (Philadelphia, Miss.) led the Tigers with 20 points and seven rebounds, and Zach Sellers (Cheraw, S.C.) swiped a game-high four steals with 11 points.  Tyrell Harper (Sanford, Fla.) also collected 11 points, and Jahlin Smith (Barnwell, S.C.) matched Dotson with a team-high seven rebounds along with 10 points.
 
The Eagles will play their final home game of the season on Monday, Feb. 25 against South Carolina State at 7:00 p.m. inside McDougald-McLendon Arena, live on ESPNU.