NORFOLK, Va. – In the first overtime game of the season for North Carolina Central men's basketball, the No. 3 Eagles defeated No. 6 Maryland Eastern Shore 83-76, on Thursday evening at Norfolk Scope Arena.
NC Central (13-17) earned the final spot in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament semifinals with the win. Dionte Johnson and Gage Lattimore combined for 44 points to help guide the Eagles to victory.
UMES (9-23) fell to 0-3 this season against NCCU, with the Hawks losing the three meetings by a combined total of 13 points.
In its first action of the MEAC Basketball Tournament, NC Central got off to a slow start in the quarterfinal matchup. The Eagles shot 50 percent (11-of-22) from the field in the first 20 minutes but gave up 14 second-chance points. UMES built a 15-point lead in the first half with 5:19 remaining. From that point, the Eagles went on a 16-7 run to close the half, trailing 40-34.
NC Central opened the second half strong, taking its first lead with 17:35 remaining in regulation at 41-40. Johnson began to take control offensively. The senior attacked the basket, knocked down shots from long range and was efficient at the free-throw line. Johnson scored 21 of his 26 points after halftime.
At the 6:05 mark, the Eagles extended their lead to 10 points as NCCU flipped the momentum. However, the Hawks refused to go away and slowly chipped at the deficit. After UMES' Levi Beckwith went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line with 35 seconds remaining, the Hawks trailed by just one and had possession.
UMES came up empty on the possession and fouled Johnson with six seconds left. He made both free throws to extend the lead to 74-71. UMES' Dorion Staples then hit a three-pointer to tie the game as regulation expired.
NCCU responded quickly in overtime. Jae Slack opened the extra period with a step-back three for the Eagles. UMES answered with its only basket of overtime, but NCCU took control from there, finishing the game on a 6-0 run. Johnson sealed the win by making four free throws down the stretch.
The Maroon and Gray finished the game shooting 50.9 percent from the field (27-of-53) and 91.3 percent from the free-throw line (21-of-23).
NC Central returns to Scope Arena to face No. 7 Delaware State in the MEAC semifinals Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
