DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central men's basketball team fell 58-56 against Coppin State on Saturday evening at McDougald-McLendon Arena. Gage Lattimore led all scorers with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double for NC Central. Nine seniors were honored pre-game for NCCU.
NCCU (9-14, 5-3 MEAC) was without the services of Khouri Carvey for the first time this season, and the Eagles were trying to gel without the forward.
Coppin State (5-21, 3-6 MEAC) picked up its third conference win, splitting the Eagles vs. Eagles series.
NC Central shot 42.4 percent from the field in the first half, led in scoring by Kyric Davis, Dionte Johnson, and Kelechi Okworogwo, who started in place of Carvey. The Maroon and Gray were even in paint points (18-18) and bench points (10-10), but took advantage in fast break points (10-4) and second chance points (12-7).
The NCCU Eagles would go into the half up 33-27.
NC Central's shooting was cold in the second half, going 8-of-31 in the final 20 minutes. The Eagles didn't let the deficit get beyond double digits, as Coppin State's largest lead was five with 9:16 remaining.
However, Lattimore did have his shot go down in the second half after finishing with only five points before halftime. In the final 20 minutes, he shot 50 percent, including knocking down four three-pointers.
After three straight Lattimore buckets put NCCU up 52-50 with 5:20 remaining, CSU regained the lead heading into the final media timeout, 55-54. Coppin State's Camren Sparrow completed his and-one play after the timeout and Torrin Andrews followed with a layup, putting CSU up 58-54 to force a NCCU timeout.
With 2:29 left to go, Lattimore scored the final bucket of the contest for either side, making it a two-point game. Both teams went over two minutes without a field goal as the contest closed.
NC Central had good looks at the basket but couldn't convert and with one final shot at tying or taking the win, the Eagles ran out of time as Coppin State was victorious 58-56.
The Eagles look to bounce back when Morgan State visits on Monday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
