BOONE, N.C. – North Carolina Central's men's basketball team kept up the pace in the second half, but the deficit was too much as the Eagles fell 76-54 to App State at the Holmes Convocation Center on Sunday afternoon.

NCCU completed a two-game weekend road trip and are now 0-3 this season.

Gage Lattimore and Tekao Carpenter were the only Eagles in double-figures, combining for 25 as NCCU struggled to find its rhythm.   

After an early 7-2 lead for the Mountaineers, NC Central went on a 5-2 run with 14 minutes left in the first half, only trailing by two. From that point on, the fouls began to pile up for NCCU. Four Eagles ended the half with two or more fouls.

Neither team started out shooting the ball hot as NCCU was 5-of-23 and App State was 9-of-26 through the first 20 minutes. The Mountaineers were able to capitalize off nine NC Central turnovers for 15 points, as well as 14 second chance points.

NCCU was down 38-18 at the half. Though eight different Eagles scored, none had more than three points.

Lattimore, who led NC Central in scoring the first two games would try to get going after only two shot attempts in the first half. His first field goal came at the 16:45 mark in the second half as he knocked down a three.  

The Mountaineers gained their largest lead of the game up 32 points with 11:40 remaining. The Eagles started chipping away, but they were running out of time. A layup by Dionte Johnson cut the lead to 16 points with about four minutes left, but that was the closest NCCU came. In the final half, NC Central was outscored by two (38-36).

App State's Kasen Jennings finished the game with 22 points, leading all scorers.

NCCU was outrebounded 41-29 and App State had a 30-18 paint point advantage. The Eagles made it count at the free throw line, going 18-of-20.  

The Maroon and Gray will host Bluefield State on Wednesday for its home opener. The contest tips off at 7 p.m. at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.