ROCK HILL, S.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team played its first game at the Rock Hill Classic on Friday evening facing Georgia Southern University at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center. The Eagles would fall 80-75 to Georgia Southern with four players scoring in double-digits as the two teams played each other for the first time in history.

NCCU is still in search of its first win now 0-4 on the season.

Junior forward Perry Smith Jr. led the Maroon and Gray in scoring with 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting playing all but two minutes in the game. He also grabbed seven rebounds, tying a team-high with junior Dionte Johnson.

Keeping his double-digit scoring streak alive, junior guard Po'Boigh King finished with 17 while senior Keishon Porter went for 15 points. Senior Floyd Rideau Jr. cashed in 11 points.

The only lead NC Central had was at the 10-8 mark with 14:25 remaining in the first half. Despite being down throughout, the Eagles would go on a 10-0 run in the second half making the score 44-41 with less than 16-minutes remaining.

NCCU was outrebounded 41-34 but had 18 turnovers in the game. Second-chance points also hurt NC Central as Georgia Southern had a 22-9 advantage.

The Eagles are still showing improvement from the free throw line making 20-of-29. NC Central only made five threes (21 percent) and held Georgia Southern to seven (24 percent). The Ga. Southern Eagles had the bench point advantage scoring 34 compared to NCCU's 16.

Nakavieon White of Georgia Southern led all scorers with 24 points.

The Maroon and Gray are back in action on Saturday evening, playing William & Mary for the first time. The Tribe and the Eagles face off at 7:30 p.m. for day two of the Rock Hill Classic.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.