NSU Takes Down Host UTEP in Sun Bowl Invite, 85-76
EL PASO, Texas—The Norfolk State men’s basketball team used career nights from senior Charles Oliver and junior Preston Bungei and some spot-on free-throw shooting to defeat UTEP by an 85-76 score on Monday night in the Sun Bowl Invitational at the Don Haskins Center.
Oliver shot 6-of-13 overall and 4-of-8 from long range for a career-best 22 points. Bungei hit 4-of-7 from the floor and all seven of his free throw attempts for a career-high 15-point effort. The Spartans improved to 5-7 by hitting 28-of-30 from the foul line and outrebounding the host Miners, 43-26, on their home court and in front of 7,746 fans.
Senior Jeff Short finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, with 16 of those points coming after the intermission. Sophomore Jordan Butler contributed six points, a game-high 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Thanks to NSU’s rebounding edge, the Spartans outscored UTEP 17-9 in second-chance points.
Dominic Artis led UTEP with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while Omega Harris added 16 points, all in the first half.
NSU’s free throw percentage of 93.3 ranks as the fourth-best in NSU’s Division I history. The Spartans shot 21-of-22 in the second half, including all 14 attempts in the last five minutes of the game.
NSU held the lead for nearly the entire game and advanced to play UC Irvine on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST for the tournament title.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com
NCCU Topped By Southern
LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Head coach LeVelle Moton had his 200th game coaching at North Carolina Central University spoiled as the Eagles were defeated by Southern University 68-63 in the Third Round of the Global Sports Classic at COX Pavilion in Las Vegas on Monday, Dec. 21.
NCCU (3-8, 1-1 MEAC) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead over Southern (8-4) by making three-straight field goals while keeping the Jaguars off the board. Southern didn’t stay down long, and was able to claw into the lead with the help of 10 points from Shawn Prudhomme in the first half.
NCCU hung tight with Southern in the second half, drawing to within four on four separate occasions, but Southern was able to keep the Eagles at bay, seeing the game to its conclusion.
Pat Cole continued to build on his strong start with a game-high 19 points and four rebounds, aided by Dante Holmes with 12 points and five boards.
The Eagles will finish the tournament against Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
For complete story, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com
Rattlers Fall At Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—The FAMU Men's Basketball team dropped a last gasp 68-66 road decision to Jacksonville Dolphins here at Swisher Gymnasium Monday night, when Kori Babineaux sank two free throws with 10 seconds left.
The loss spoiled a torrid second half for the visiting Rattlers, who trailed 35-27 at the half, but outscored the Dolphins, 39-33 in the final stanza.
It was the Rattlers' 27-15 run from the midpoint of the half that pulled them even at 66-66 when Isaiah Omergie hit a free throw with 11 seconds left.
Treavann Warren led FAMU with 15 points and eight rebounds. Francois Lewis had 14 points, Justin Ravenal scored 11 points, while Malcolm Bernard added nine points and 10 rebounds.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com