WASHINGTON, D.C. – North Carolina Central University shot 56 percent from the field at Howard University but sharpshooting from beyond the arc halted the men's basketball team in a 90-82 loss on the road on Saturday. Senior Fred Cleveland Jr. was one of three Eagles in double figures leading NCCU with 20 points.

Howard (11-14, 5-3 MEAC) took the advantage earlier on as the Eagles kept things close. HU returned Shy Odom who has been out due to injury since December. A fast break jumper by Cleveland sliced the lead to one until Odom hit the second three-pointer of the game making the score 10-6.

NCCU (13-10, 5-3 MEAC) tied the game up at 14-14 with a jump shot from redshirt senior Ja'Darius Harris. Back-and-forth buckets and free-throw attempts kept things close before Howard went back up by double digits.

The Eagles also returned sophomore Po'Boigh King who missed the last two games as well. He would score his first set of points at the free throw line making it a ten-point game with under six minutes remaining in the period.

The Bison's biggest lead to start the game was 13 points with over five minutes remaining in the first half. The Eagles went shot for shot with Howard trying to chip away at the lead and were down nine as the buzzer sounded.

The score was 42-33 at the half with the Bison leading. The Eagles had a balanced scoring effort with all but one player scoring in the first 20 minutes of action. Harris and junior Timmy Adedire each had six points to lead NCCU into the second half.

NC Central was called for 10 fouls in the first period as Howard cashed in on 11-of-16 free throws.

Howard would soon gain another double-digit advantage on NCCU to open the second half. Free throws from Harris and a jump shot from King inched them to single digits, 58-49.

With 12 minutes left in the game, HU extended the lead to 17 points, the largest of the game, after three straight Eagle turnovers led to an 8-0 run by the Bison.

The Eagles kept clawing as a deep three from Cleveland brought NCCU within five points with eight minutes remaining. Harris and Cleveland combined for 14 points in the 19-7 run to close in on the Bison 73-68.

That would be the closest NCCU would get to the lead as both the Eagles and the Bison kept scoring but HU outpaced NCCU. Howard would go on to win 90-82 tying the MEAC record of 5-3 with the Eagles.

NC Central came into the game second in the nation in three-point percentage defense. The Bison knocked down 12 threes, shooting 54.5 percent from beyond the arc.

NCCU led in paint points, fast break points, and bench points but played from behind the majority of the game. Harris and King joined Cleveland in double figures with 18 and 14 points, respectively.

Howard's Marcus Dockery led all scorers with 26 followed by Bryce Harris with 23 points.

The Eagles continue their road trip on Monday, Feb. 19 at Norfolk State University. The game will be televised on ESPNU with a 9 p.m. tip.

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