DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team suffered a close 85-82 loss against USC Upstate on Saturday. Head coach LeVelle Moton adjusted to being shorthanded, relying on his bench to close a 15-point deficit with a chance to win in the closing seconds.

NCCU played the Spartans close to begin the game. There were seven lead changes in the first half and nine ties. The biggest lead for the Eagles was four points before Upstate went on a 7-0 run.

The Eagles used the foul line to their advantage in the first half as they attempted 18 free throws and cashed in on 14. Junior Timmy Adedire was a perfect 4-of-4 from the line and sophomore Po'Boigh King went 5-of-6 from the floor in the first 20 minutes.

USC Upstate had a seven-point lead going into halftime 46-39. King and Adedire led the Eagles in scoring with 12 and 10, respectively.

Coming into the second half, NCCU would decrease the lead to 48-45 with a jump shot by junior Cobey Harraway before the first media timeout. Upstate made three consecutive three pointers, all by Floyd Rideau Jr.

Five quick points from USC Upstate's Eduardo Placer and another three by Rideau increased the Spartans lead to 15 points.

The Eagles turned it around thanks to turnovers by the Spartans as sophomore Perry Smith Jr and King scored seven straight points off turnovers. Sophomore Josh Smith, P. Smith and junior Devin Gordon all scored buckets to finally tie the ball game 73-73 with four minutes remaining.

A couple of free throws and a three pointer by J. Smith gave the Eagles a 78-77 lead. After the Spartans knocked down free throws to go up three points, J. Smith scored a pair of his own as NCCU trailed 81-80.

Another bucket by J. Smith tied the game for the final time 82-82 with 19 seconds remaining. USC Upstate scored a layup with 1.8 seconds left in the game.

A foul from the Eagles occurred before the ball was inbounded with Jordyn Surratt going 1-of-2 from the line to end the game with a score of 85-82. P. Smith finished with a career-high 17 points, five rebounds and four steals and King and J. Smith each scored 16 points.

The Eagles play on the road for the next three games, starting at Virginia on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

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