DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team heads to South Carolina State University for its first game in 12 days. The Eagles play on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 4:00 p.m. at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center for their third conference game of the season.
Full Game Notes – Game 18
Week 11 at South Carolina State
2023-24 Regular Season
North Carolina Central (10-7, 2-0 MEAC)
at
South Carolina State (4-14, 0-2 MEAC)
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 – 4:00 p.m.
SHM Memorial Center – Orangeburg, S.C.
Listen: ESPN Radio Orangeburg
Follow: Live Stats
NC CENTRAL BENCH
NCCU is currently on a six-game winning streak after defeating Norfolk State University 60-58 on Jan. 8 during the opening weekend of MEAC games. Redshirt senior Ja'Darius Harris scored a game-high 20 points, also grabbing four rebounds. Redshirt senior Fred Cleveland Jr. and sophomore Po'Boigh King both finished in double figures as well.
Since the last time the Eagles stepped on the court, Cleveland was named the MEAC Player of the Week on Jan. 11 for his performance in the Truett-McConnell, Howard and Norfolk State games. He averaged 19.3 points and 6.7 assists through the first three games of 2024.
Defensive effort has been the mainstay for NC Central this season. The Eagles currently lead in three conference categories: three-point field goal percentage (26.1 percent), turnover margin (+3.88) and opponent points per game (67.5). NCCU's three-point field goal percentage is second in the nation behind only the Mustangs of Southern Methodist University.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BENCH
South Carolina State hasn't played since Jan. 8 as well when its team hosted Howard. The Bulldogs fell 82-78 to the Bison. Freshman Mitchell Taylor led his team with 18 points while redshirt junior Atiba Taylor finished with 13 points.
The Bulldogs' leading scorer Davion Everett was held to two points in their last game. No South Carolina State player averages in double-figure scoring.
South Carolina State is a strong team on the glass, especially on offensive rebounds. The Bulldogs are third in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (15.78). They are also seventh in the country in bench points per game (35.89).
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