DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team fell 59-58 to Maryland Eastern Shore in a heartbreaker inside McDougald-McLendon Arena on Monday night.

In the first 20 minutes, both teams started off struggling from the field until the Eagles were able to score the first nine points of the game after the first media timeout.

At the 9:41 mark, NCCU led 18-6, before the Hawks generated a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to two. After that, the maroon and gray closed out the half on a 15-4 run to hold a 33-20 advantage at the break.

The first-half charge was spearheaded by junior guard Justin Wright who hit five of nine field goals to finish the half with 11 points and four rebounds.

In the second stanza, NCCU created a 16-point advantage at the 11:19 mark. The Hawks responded with a 10-0 scoring run to cut the Eagle's lead to six.

The teams continued to battle, and senior guard Eric Boone hit a floater from the elbow to put NCCU up seven (58-51) with 1:32 left in the game. That bucket was the final point for the Eagles as the Hawks were able to score the final eight points of the contest.

With 24 seconds left, Boone threw a dangerous pass that was intercepted by Eastern Shore's Da'Shawn Phillip, who proceeded to finish a tough layup to tie the game at 58. He converted the and one free throw gave the team the one-point lead and Wright was unable to connect on the potential game-winning shot for NCCU.

Wright led all scorers with 19 points. He shot an efficient eight of 16 from the field and grabbed five rebounds.

Graduate student Brendan Medley-Bacon poured in 11 points and snagged seven boards, while Boone finished with nine points, six assists, and a career-high 13 rebounds. They were active on the defensive end and combined for five steals and four blocks.

Zion Styles led the way for the Hawks finishing with 13 points including three impressive dunks. Donchevell Nugent also scored 13 points and registered a contest high six steals.

Up next, NCCU (10-9, 3-2 MEAC) will head north to take on the Howard Bison on Saturday, Jan. 28, and Norfolk State Spartans on Monday, Jan. 30. Both games will be broadcasted via ESPNU, with the action tipping off at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.