BALTIMORE, Md. – Jae Slack sparked five players in double figures with 18 points and North Carolina Central dominated the second half to overcome a 14-point halftime deficit in an 88-77 come-from-behind victory over Coppin State in MEAC men's basketball action on Saturday.

The Eagles remained unbeaten in the MEAC at 2-0 and improved to 6-11 overall with the win. Coppin State dropped to 1-1 in the conference and 3--16 overall. NCCU is 2-0 in the MEAC for the fourth time in six seasons.

Gage Lattimore added 16 points and Tekao Carpenter collected 14 points on 4 of 5 three-point shooting for the Eagles, who outscored Coppin State 57-32 in the second half. Kyric Davis tallied 13 points and Kelechi Okworogwo had 10 points. The 57 points are the most in a half this season against a Division I team.

After trailing by 17 points in the first half and 45-31 at halftime, NCCU Head Coach LeVelle Moton challenged his team at the break and the Eagles responded.

Slack keyed the second-half turnaround, scoring 13 points during a 37-10 run that turned a 14-point deficit into a 68-55 lead. Carpenter added eight points and Dionte Johnson totaled seven points during the massive run.

NCCU was 7 of 8 behind the three-point arc during the winning spurt including 6 of 6 at one point. Meanwhile, Coppin State, which shot 80 percent from long range in the first half, cooled off to 36.4 percent in the second half on 4 of 11 three-point shooting.

Coppin State got within 79-75 with under two minutes remaining but Lattimore was fouled attempting a three-pointer, and he knocked down all three free throws. Davis, Lattimore and Slack combined to make 6 of 6 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

NCCU shot 57.7 percent in the second half, including 8 of 11 from three-point range to turn a double-digit deficit into a double-figure win.

Johnson finished with seven points, seven assists and two steals for the Eagles, who shot 50 percent from the floor overall including 12 of 20 three-point attempts for 60 percent. The Eagles were also sharp from the free throw line, making 28 of 36 for 77.8 percent.

Coppin State made 51.9 percent of its shots including 12 of 21 three-pointers for 57.1 percent. Its free-throw percentage was 75 percent but Coppin State only attempted 12 shots from the charity stripe, hitting 9.

NEXT UP
The Eagles will stay in Baltimore for a road game against Morgan State on Monday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m.

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