DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team looks to earn its second win of the season over Longwood University on Friday evening as both squads already played each other on Dec. 14. The Eagles came out on top in the first match-up 77-70 in Farmville, Va. Friday's game is set for a 7 p.m. tip at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
Week 7 – Game 15 | Full Game Notes
North Carolina Central (6-8, 0-0 MEAC)
vs Longwood (10-3, 0-0 Big South)
Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.
McDougald-McLendon Arena – Durham, N.C.
Live Stats | Tickets | ESPN+
Series: 4-3, NCCU
NCCU BENCH
The Eagles were victorious the last time they were on the court earning a 112-67 triumph over Mid-Atlantic Christian University on Tuesday. Leading the charge was senior guard Keishon Porter who claimed his first career double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Three more Eagles joined him in double figures.
NCCU didn't allow a single three-pointer made as the Mustangs went 0-8 from beyond the arc. The Eagles are 25th in the nation in three-point percentage defense holding opponents to 28.2 percent.
The Maroon and Gray have also been turning up the defense all over the court as the team is 11th in steals per game (10.4), 13th in turnover margin (+5.7) and third in the country in turnovers forced per game (18.14). Helping in those categories is Porter who is 27th in the nation in steals (26) and redshirt senior guard Isaac Parson who is 62nd in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.71).
Longwood's home loss against the Eagles last Saturday broke the series tie as NCCU now leads 4-3.
LONGWOOD BENCH
Longwood bounced back after dropping its game to NCCU with a 77-55 victory at Campbell University on Dec. 18. The Lancers' leading scorer in the game was Johan Nziemi with 13 points and Elijah Tucker grabbed seven boards.
LU's current leading scorer is Michael Christmas with 11.8 points per game. Colby Garland is in the top-100 in the nation in total assists with 52. LU is currently second in the Big South Conference in defense holding opponents to 66.6 points per game.
There are four national statistics where Longwood sits in the top-20. The Lancers are 20th in bench points (33.62), 12th in free throw attempts per game (26.2), seventh in free throws made per game (19.5) and 12th in turnovers forced per game (16.77).
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