DURHAM, N.C. – With a full week out of game action, the North Carolina Central men's basketball team returned to the court, earning a 96-62 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian on Wednesday evening at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
A 32-point, 11-rebound double-double by Jae Slack highlighted the victory. This was Slack's highest point total this season, and the most points he has scored in his Division I career, as he netted 40 points last season while with Division II program West Virginia State.
"Jae Slack came in and he stepped up," head coach LeVelle Moton said about his scoring. "And more than that, I was happy he got 11 rebounds. Hopefully, that's a sign of him getting things together."
Gage Lattimore finished with 18 points and Khouri Carvey had a near double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
NC Central started slow, as Mid-Atlantic Christian had the lead early, up five before the first media timeout. The Eagles gained their first lead with 14:37 remaining in the half and never looked back.
NCCU held the Mustangs to 27.8 percent shooting (10-of-36) in the first half and went into the break up 45-30.
The Eagles cranked up the defense in the final 20 minutes, causing 22 MACU turnovers, resulting in 37 points. NC Central also dominated the paint with a 52-30 scoring advantage inside.
NCCU got into the fastbreak more in the second half with dunks from Lattimore, Carvey and Kyric Davis, who slammed home a windmill dunk. Davis scored all of his points in the final 1:42 of the game as he went on a 9-0 run by himself to close out the contest.
The Eagles shot 53.7 percent (36-of-67) and went 19-of-33 from the free-throw line, which was a stat that Moton challenged his team to improve postgame. Though he enjoyed the victory, Moton is still looking for more of his players to step up, as he has shifted the lineup throughout non-conference play.
"We're more than close to halfway done with the season," said Moton. "It's time for guys to step up. We've got to hurry up and prove that across the board."
The Eagles have a quick turnaround as they welcome Longwood to McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. for the final home game of 2025.
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