DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team remains unblemished in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, defeating Norfolk State 60-58 on Monday evening. The Eagles have now won six straight games going back to Dec 12.
The score stayed tight throughout most of the first half before NSU took a ten point lead with under six to go in the first half. Senior Ja'Darius Harris scored the next four points for the Eagles with Po'Boigh King and Fred Cleveland Jr. both hitting threes to get the game back within single digits.
The Spartans ended the first half with a 35-29 lead over NC Central. King led all scorers with 11 points for the Eagles. NCCU forced eight turnovers, netting 10 points off them. Norfolk State had a six-point paint advantage, but NC Central also gained six points from second chance opportunities.
NC Central opened the second half on a 6-0 run, tying the ball game in under three minutes. Emmanuel Izunabor's and-one free throw gave the Eagles their first lead of the game with a score of 36-35.
Some back-and-forth buckets between the two teams would cause a 43-43 tie with 12 minutes remaining. A step back three from Cleveland put the Eagles up six points before the last media timeout.
Two quick jumpers from NSU's Jack Doumbia made it a 56-54 game before King hit a three. The game would come down to the charity stripe as Cleveland made a clutch free throw keeping it at a two-point lead for the Eagles. With 10 seconds remaining, Allen Betrand of Norfolk State missed a potential game-winning three as NCCU came out victorious.
Harris finished the night with 20 points and four rebounds. King was two rebounds shy of a double-double performance at 17 points. Timmy Adedire grabbed nine rebounds and Cleveland had 11 points and seven assists.
NCCU is ranked 12th in the nation in three-point percentage defense and only allowed one three-pointer from Norfolk State's offense out of 16 attempts.
Jamarii Thomas led the Spartans in scoring, finishing the night with 18 points and five rebounds. Nyzaiah Chambers grabbed a game-high 12 boards for NSU.
The Eagles have an 11-day break before seeing game-action when they travel to South Carolina State on Jan. 20. The next three games will be on the road for NCCU.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
