GAME NOTES
2021-22 Regular Season
North Carolina Central (14-14, 7-5 MEAC)
Vs.
South Carolina State (15-14, 7-6 MEAC)
Thursday, March 3, 2022 – 7:30 p.m.
McDougald-McLendon Arena – Durham, N.C.
Video: NCCU Sports Network
Stats: NCCUEaglePride.com
 
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
 
STARTING FIVE:
1. LeVelle Moton is now the third coach in program history to reach 200 wins.
2. NCCU is 117-46 in the Division I era in regular-season MEAC games.
3. NCCU ranks third or higher in the MEAC in 10 different team statistics.
4. NCCU has won eight or more home games for the 11th time with coach Moton.
5. NCCU is 65-16 at home in regular season MEAC games in the DI era.
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
NCCU and SCSU will battle for the #3 seed in the league finale, as NCCU is 7-5 in league play, and SCSU is 7-6.  The Bulldogs have dropped their last three games on the road, including a 72-62 defeat at Howard last time out.  Deaquan Williams pulled down a big double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds, and TJ Madlock contributed 12 points and eight boards as a total of four players reached double digits. 
 
LAST FIVE VS SOUTH CAROLINA STATE:
2/7/22  at SCSU.............. 68-74 L
2/2/21  at NCCU............. 64-63 W
2/1/21  at NCCU............. 91-77 W
2/29/20 at SCSU............. 83-82 W-2OT
2/1/20  at NCCU............. 73-56 W
 
BUSINESS IS BOONE-ING
Eric Boone showed off his court vision at the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic, and dished out a season-best 13 assists.  13 assists at the time was the sixth-most in a single game in NCAA Division I this season, and tied for the fourth-most all-time at NCCU.  Boone has also been one of the top defenders in the nation, as he's third in NCAA DI with 2.7 steals per game, and is sixth in total steals with 66.
 
ON THE WRIGHT PATH
Sophomore guard Justin Wright has taken a big step forward in his second season, and broke out for 10.3 points per contest during a four-game stretch from Dec. 1-9 that culminated in a career-high 20 points against Carver on Dec. 9.  He also averaged 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per outing, and shot 40.0 percent from the floor, and 80.0 percent from the free throw line during the run.  Wright has gone on to reach a career-high of 25 points against Coppin State on Feb. 5, and has topped 20 points against MEAC opponents six times this season, including a career-high 32-point outburst against Delaware State on Feb. 19.  In league play, Wright leads in scoring with 19.7 points per game, and is sixth in field goal percentage at 52.2.
 
NCCU AROUND THE LEAGUE
NCCU is 117-44 in MEAC games in the Division I era since rejoining the league for the 2011- 12 season.  Below is a breakout of the Eagles' success at home and on the road in regular season conference contests.
Home: 65-16
Away: 51-28
Neutral: 1-0