DURHAM, N.C. – The Eagles return to McDougald-McLendon Arena for three consecutive games in the nest with Howard being the first opponent on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. North Carolina Central looks to stay unbeaten in MEAC play after three straight victories.
Game 19:
NCCU (7-11, 3-0 MEAC)
vs Howard (10-8, 1-2 MEAC)
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 – 4:30 p.m.
McDougald-McLendon Arena – Durham, N.C.
Tickets | Live Stats | ESPN+
Series History: NCCU hosts Howard on Saturday in the fourth conference contest of the season. This will be the Eagles' second home game of 2026. The Maroon & Gray lead the series 50-32 as NC Central won its last meeting last March at home, 72-68 over the Bison.
Scouting Howard: Howard is currently 10-8, 1-2 in conference, and tied for fourth in the MEAC standings. The Bison started conference play with two losses (South Carolina State and UMES) before defeating Delaware State on Monday. Howard leads the MEAC in scoring margin (+1.7), scoring defense (69.6 ppg), blocks (3.47) and steals (9.35). Bryce Harris leads the Bison in scoring (17.0) and rebounds (6.7). He is second in the MEAC in those same categories.
Last Time Out: The Eagles are coming off two road victories in Baltimore, Md. NC Central defeated Coppin State 88-77, after being down 14 points at the half on Jan. 10, and followed that performance with an 89-78 triumph at Morgan State on Monday. At Coppin State, NCCU had a balanced scoring attack, with Jae Slack netting 18 points. At Morgan State, the Maroon & Gray had five scorers in double figures, including 21 points from Khouri Carvey and 20 from Gage Lattimore.
Eagles Rolling: NCCU has been off to its best start in conference play since the 2018-19 season. The Eagles finished that year 10-6 in conference, winning the 2019 MEAC Basketball Tournament. NC Central is currently 3-0, with wins over Norfolk State, Coppin State and Morgan State. The last two victories came on the road, which is progress from last year, as the Eagles didn't win a true MEAC road game in 2025.
By Any Means: The Eagles have been able to win in a variety of ways against MEAC competition so far. In its close game versus Norfolk State, NCCU won in the paint, scoring 42. At Coppin State, the Eagles dug themselves out of a 14-point hole by making 12 threes and going 19-of-23 from the free throw line in the second half. At Morgan State, NCCU was lethal in the paint (42 points) and in the fastbreak (26 points).
MEAC Minute: NCCU is first in points per game (73.9 ppg), free throw percentage (73.5 percent), assists per game (15.33) and turnover margin (+2.56) in the MEAC. Gage Lattimore and Khouri Carvey still lead the conference in scoring (18.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg), respectively. Carvey is also first in field goal percentage (58.9 percent) and blocks (1.1 bpg). Dionte Johnson leads in assists (5.8 apg), assist-to-turnover (2.3) and steals (2.7 spg).
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