BALTIMORE, Md. – After a weather postponement delayed Monday's match up, the North Carolina Central University men's basketball team fell in double overtime to Morgan State University on Tuesday evening, 102-98.
Redshirt senior guard Isaac Parson scored the final four points for the Eagles in regulation and hit a three-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining in the first overtime for another tie to extend the game.
Parson (19), junior Jaqai Murray (16), junior Po'Boigh King (15) and senior Timmy Adedire (10) all scored in double figures. Junior forward Perry Smith Jr. was the final Eagle in double figures finishing with a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double.
NCCU is now 7-12 overall and 0-2 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference action.
The Bears and Eagles played a tight game throughout with 16 ties and 22 lead changes.
After a 70-70 tie with four minutes left in regulation, NC Central took a slight lead of 77-74. A layup from Morgan State's Kameron Hobbs pulled the Bears closer as free throws determined the final eight seconds.
The Eagles were unable to secure the rebound after a miss from MSU's Rob Lawson which led to a foul sending Hobbs to the free throw line as he sank both and sent the game to the first overtime, 79-79.
Both squads traded buckets and kept the first overtime close. The Eagles were down 85-86 after a dunk from Smith.
With two MSU free throws, Parson navigated down the court with 11 seconds remaining and knocked down the game-tying three to close out the first overtime, 88-88.
Murray opened the second overtime by making one free throw and 89-88 was the only lead NCCU would have in that period. Adedire made things interesting with a three to tie the contest at 95 apiece.
NCCU was down 98-99 with three seconds remaining in the second overtime as Morgan State's Hobbs hit a three sealing the game at 102-98.
The Eagles shot 34-of-75 from the field (45.3 percent) and left 15 points on the charity stripe going 21-of-36. The Maroon & Gray led in rebounding (47-43), assists (17-10) and points off turnovers (20-15).
MSU's Hobbs finished with a game-high 40 points. Will Thomas had a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double.
NC Central returns home to host its first home MEAC games this season in McDougald-McLendon Arena as the Eagles take on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
