DURHAM, N.C. – Coming off two consecutive road losses, the North Carolina Central University men's basketball team got back into the win column with a 91-36 victory over Carolina University on Monday evening at McDougald-McLendon Arena. Junior forward Perry Smith Jr. and senior guard Keishon Porter each finished with a game-high 15 points.
NCCU (2-6) returned home after playing the last five games on the road. The Bruins by way of Winston-Salem, N.C. were keeping pace with the Eagles in the first half only down 26-17 at the 8-minute media timeout.
NC Central revved up the defense which allowed multiple fastbreak opportunities including an and-one layup in transition from senior wing Timmy Adedire who cashed in the free throw for a 35-23 advantage with 4:55 remaining in the half.
Transition buckets from junior forward Jaqai Murray and a slam dunk from Porter extended the lead to 44-31 at the half. Junior guard Po'Boigh King led the Eagles through the first 20 minutes with 11 points with Porter and Smith Jr. not far behind with nine and eight, respectively.
The Eagles turned on another level of defense to open the second half as they held Carolina University to only five points in the final 20 minutes.
After a made free throw from CU's Jayden Jackson, the score was 50-34 until NCCU went on a 41-2 run in the remaining 16:40 to extend the lead and put the game out of reach. NC Central would go on to triumph 91-36 over the CU Bruins.
Every Eagle that played scored, including redshirt freshman Caleb Ellison who recorded his first career points in his first game action of the season. Also in double figures with Porter and Smith Jr. were King and Murray who finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Adedire, Murray and junior forward Kelechi Okworogwo were strong on the boards contributing to a 47-26 advantage in rebounds.
NC Central forced 24 turnovers scoring 41 points off them and allowing only seven turnovers. The Eagles held the Bruins to 28 percent from the field and scored 47 fastbreak points.
CU's Jackson finished with a team-high 13 points.
The Maroon and Gray return to action after the Thanksgiving holiday on Saturday, Nov. 30 hosting Virginia-Lynchburg at 3 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
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