DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team opened the weekend with a 77-46 victory over Coppin State University. Junior Keishon Porter tied his season-high with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
Senior Fred Cleveland Jr. led NCCU with 19 points and seven assists in front of a large crowd filled with graduates of NC Central highlighting Alumni Night.
NC Central's (13-8, 5-1) head coach LeVelle Moton was forced to tweak his starting lineup. With sophomore Po'Boigh King missing his first game and start of the season, Porter made his seventh start of the season.
Coppin State (2-18, 1-5) entered the nest on a three-game losing streak and the 31-point loss to NCCU was its largest margin of defeat this season in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
The NCCU Eagles ended the first half on top 48-28. After nine lead changes and two ties, NC Central finished the half in control with 17 points off turnovers and dominated the paint with 20 points inside.
Senior Terrence Crawford, sophomore Josh Smith, Porter and Cleveland combined to make eight threes in the first half helping Porter, Smith and Cleveland to double figures.
NC Central went on a 19-8 run to begin the second half to break the lead open to 31 points. Cleveland made a total of five threes including a deep shot from beyond the arc.
In the last 20 minutes of action, The NCCU Eagles only allowed 18 points from Coppin State, staying true to their identity by holding CSU to 3-of-22 from beyond the arc at 13.6 percent. The CSU Eagles shot 28.6 percent from the field for the game.
NC Central had a 24-5 fast break point advantage against Coppin State which included rim-shaking dunks by Porter and Smith. The NCCU Eagles scored 27 bench points allowing only two points from CSU's bench.
Ryan Archey of Coppin State led his team in scoring with 19 points and was the only player in gold in double figures.
With the victory over CSU, NCCU remains tied for first in the MEAC standings with Norfolk State after the Spartans defeated Delaware State by one point at home on Saturday.
NC Central now turns its attention to Morgan State University as the Bears visit McDougald-McLendon Arena on Monday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
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