DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team was in full control of Saturday's game, defeating the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 88-55. Junior Keishon Porter led all scorers with a new season-high of 22 points off the bench. All four seniors were honored pre-game for playing their last season of basketball at NCCU.

The starters for NCCU included three of those seniors, Emmanuel Izunabor, Ja'Darius Harris and Fred Cleveland Jr. Sophomore Po'Boigh King and junior Devin Gordon filled in the final two spots to open the contest.

NCCU began the game with a 7-0 run as Izunabor, Harris and King all scored. Into the 16-minute media timeout, the Eagles were up 10-5. King followed with his second three-pointer of the game.

UMES (8-16, 3-7 MEAC) broke into double digits with under 12 minutes remaining in the first half, but Porter finished a crafty layup as Cleveland snatched one of his five steals on the day and converted it into an assist. Gordon would get the ball to fall before Porter slammed home an alley-oop dunk with a pass from sophomore Josh Smith.

With under 10 minutes left in the first half, UMES would start to fill in the scoring column including a tough contested jumper by the leading rebounder in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Troy Hupstead.

The Eagles led 29-17 before the 8-minute media timeout and more dunks would power through as Porter collected another as he was fouled. Porter made the free throw and NCCU would lead 32-19. After points were exchanged between both teams, the Eagles ended the first half on top.

NC Central (14-11, 6-4 MEAC) led at the half 42-28 over UMES. The Eagles scored 12 points off 10 Hawk turnovers. NCCU shot 48.6 percent in the first 20 minutes.

Seven of the eight players that checked in scored as the Eagles spread the ball around. Porter led the charge with 11 points at the half. Gordon skied for seven rebounds leading both sides.

Each team traded points to open the second half. NCCU would break the lead open to 21 points before the 16-minute media timeout. With UMES' Elijah Wilson knocking down all of his free throws after being fouled beyond the arc, the Hawks wouldn't score again for over five minutes as the Eagles stretched the score 68-42.

The lead grew to over 30 points after a three-pointer from sophomore Guy Fauntleroy. The highest the advantage would get to was 35 points.

Senior Terrence Crawford checked in and hit two three-pointers as all the seniors scored.

NCCU won by 33 points over UMES. Eagle defense held the Hawks to 35.7 percent from the field. King and Cleveland joined Porter in double-figure scoring. King had 16 points and seven rebounds and Cleveland finished with 12 points, four assists and five steals.

The Eagles return to McDougald-McLendon Arena on Monday, Feb. 26 to host Delaware State University at 7:30 p.m.

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