DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team returns to McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday after playing four straight games on the road. The last time the Eagles played on their home floor was against Mid-Atlantic Christian in an 113-50 victory on Nov. 14. NCCU is currently 2-0 at home as the team welcomes USC Upstate on Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.
Full Game Notes – Game 9
GAME NOTES: Week 4 vs. USC Upstate Spartans
2023-24 Regular Season
North Carolina Central (4-4, 0-0 MEAC)
vs
USC Upstate (3-5, 0-0 Big South)
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 – 3:00 p.m.
McDougald-McLendon Arena – Durham, N.C.
Watch: NCCUSN
Follow: Live Stats
NC CENTRAL BENCH
The Eagles ascended back to a .500 record after a 70-58 victory at Coastal Carolina. The win marked the first ever in program history against the Chanticleers with six previous losses.
NCCU's top three scorers, Po'Boigh King, Ja'Darius Harris and Fred Cleveland Jr., accounted for 60 of the team's 70 points on Sunday in Conway, South Carolina. King and Harris each scored 21 points and grabbed nine and seven rebounds, respectively. Cleveland finished the evening with 18 points and four assists.
King is coming off a Defensive Player of the Week honor on Wednesday by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. His 15.5 scoring average and 17 total rebounds in two games played last week led to King earning the nod, his first of the season.
The starters from the last game were Harris, King, Cleveland, Emmanuel Izunabor and Cobey Harraway. Sophomore Perry Smith Jr. played 30 minutes and junior Devin Gordon played 26 minutes. Sophomore Josh Smith scored eight points in 12 minutes on the court.
USC UPSTATE BENCH
The Spartans last time out was also at Coastal Carolina University when they played on Wednesday, Nov. 29 in a close 72-70 loss. The high scorer for USC Upstate was Floyd Rideau Jr. off the bench with 17 points. Trae Broadnax and Miguel Ayesa both had 11 points for the Spartans.
The potential starters for Upstate are expected to be Broadnax, Justin Bailey, Nick Alves, Jordyn Surratt and Ahmir Langlias. The Spartans also have a former teammate of an NCCU player as Vermont transfers Perry Smith Jr. and Jorge Ochoa meet as opponents.
This will be the third meeting ever between both programs. NC Central has the 2-0 advantage against Upstate. The last victory came in 2021 as the Eagles beat the Spartans 67-65 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
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