DURHAM, N.C. – After a tightly contested first half, the North Carolina Central men's basketball team couldn't slow down Howard after the break, falling 83-69 at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday evening.

NCCU (7-12, 3-1 MEAC) suffered its first conference loss of the season after winning the first three games. Howard (11-8, 2-2 MEAC) earns its second MEAC victory this season.

Tekao Carpenter led all scorers with 21 points, getting hot from beyond the arc early. Gage Lattimore, who was in foul trouble early, scored all 14 of his points in the second half. Khouri Carvey and Jae Slack both finished with 10 points.

The Bison went into halftime up 35-32, cutting the Eagles' early seven-point lead. Both teams had nearly identical field goal percentages, with NCCU shooting 37.5 percent and Howard shooting 37.8 percent.

Lattimore cut the lead to one in the first possession of the second half, but that would be the closest the Eagles would come as the Bison went on two separate 9-0 runs before the 12-minute media timeout, leading 59-46.

The Eagles would go on a run of their own, scoring 11 straight to cut the deficit to seven points (59-52). The Bison extended the lead to double digits as NC Central cut it to nine on three different occasions before Howard took control of the game, ultimately winning 83-69.

Howard led in several major categories, including paint points (48-26), fastbreak points (17-5) and second-chance points (21-8) as NCCU was outrebounded 43-31. Bryce Harris led the Bison with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

NCCU stays at home for the next two games. Delaware State is up first, as they come to the Nest next Saturday, Jan. 24. Tip is set for 4:30 p.m.

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