BALTIMORE, Md. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team was defeated 78-73 by Morgan State University in a back-and-forth overtime affair.

NCCU junior guard Ja'Darius Harris hit a 3-pointer to give the Eagles a seven-point lead with 3:40 left in regulation. MSU answered with a 9-0 run to take the lead 65-63 before Baltimore native, graduate student Brendan Medley-Bacon knocked down two free throws to force an extra period.

The seesaw effect continued into overtime as the squads traded points. Senior forward Dan Oladapo hit a layup to tie the contest at 69. After that, Isaiah Burke hit a shot from long-range to put the Bears up by one. The Eagles scored one more time on a Harris layup, but the Bears closed out the game from the free throw line, hitting six of eight free throws down the stretch.

The maroon & gray offense featured three double-figure scorers. Senior forward Kris Monroe led the way with 19 points and four rebounds. He was the only Eagle to hit multiple shots from behind the arc (3-8).

Junior guard Justin Wright finished the contest with 13 points, five boards, and three steals. Medley-Bacon also poured in 13 points, while being the most efficient player in the game hitting five of six shots from the field and snagging five rebounds.

Senior guard Marque Maultsby hit four of six shots to score nine points. He also claimed three rebounds, two assists, and a block. Senior guard Eric Boone led the team in assists with four and added two steals.

Up next, NCCU (7-8, 0-1 MEAC) will remain in Baltimore to play the second leg of the road trip against Coppin State on Monday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m.