NCCU Has Streak Snapped By Howard
DURHAM, N.C. – A running jumper with one second remaining by the nation’s leading scorer sunk North Carolina Central University and ended the Eagles’ home win streak in McDougald-McLendon Arena as Howard University defeated NCCU 71-69 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball action on Monday, Dec. 7.
James Daniel brought NCCU’s (3-5, 1-1 MEAC) 38-game home win streak to a halt as he put in a game-high 27 points including the last two of the game. NCCU had also won 26 consecutively at home against MEAC opponents, and 32 overall against MEAC competitors in regular-season play.
Howard (6-3, 1-1 MEAC) closed the contest of a 13-2 run over the final five minutes, including the bucket with one second.
The game began with NCCU jumping out to an 8-2 lead over Howard, but the Bison responded with nine-straight points all by threes, capped by back-to-back triples from Daniel. Howard led by as many as six in the first half at 27-21, but then NCCU closed the half on a 20-7 run over the final 7:35 to lead 41-34 at the break.
In that run, the Eagles turned in a 13-0 streak over five minutes of play, filled with six points from Dajuan Graf. Graf turned in 11 points and five assists over the first half, on his way to a team-high 19 points and eight assists.
In the second half, Jeremiah Ingram took over for NCCU, scoring 14 of his 18 points including eight-straight for the Eagles down the stretch.
For complete story visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.hubison.com
Bethune-Cookman beats South Carolina State in MEAC Opener
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Mario Moody had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds as Bethune-Cookman beat South Carolina State 69–54 in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener Monday in Moore Gym.
Randy Holmes and Diamante Lewis each added 13, with Lewis scoring seven on the Wildcats’ 10-0 run that started the game. Holmes also posted a double-double, snagging 11 rebounds.
Quinton Forrest added 10 points as Bethune-Cookman (4-4 overall, 1-0 MEAC) won its conference opener for the first time since 2011.
After the 10-0 run, the Wildcat defense blocked more South Carolina State (4-5,1-1) shots (seven) than the Bulldogs made (six) en route to a 27-13 halftime lead.
Four Holmes free throws pushed the Wildcat lead to 31-13 in the opening minute of the second half. South Carolina State got as close as 50-40 on a Greg Mortimer three-pointer with 7:39 left, but a 15-5 run gave Bethune-Cookman a 65-45 lead with 3:06 left on a LaRon Smith jumper.
Tashombe Riley scored 12 points, Eric Eaves 11 and Ed Stephens 10 points for the Bulldogs.
The Wildcats face Akron Saturday.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.scsuathletics.com
NSU Dominates in 88-56 Win over Coppin State
BALTIMORE, Md. - Seniors Jeff Short and Charles Oliver combined for 38 points to lead the Norfolk State men's basketball team to an 88-56 win over Coppin State on Monday night at the Physical Education Complex.
The Spartans opened up MEAC play with their largest victory ever against the Eagles by outscoring them by 19 in the second half.
Short made 6-of-9 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the foul line for a game-high 20 points to go along with a game-high seven rebounds as well. Oliver hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range and 5-of-7 overall for an 18-point night.
The Spartans also got double digit scoring outputs from senior D'Shon Taylor (13 points, 5-of-8 shooting) and junior Jonathan Wade (10 points). The latter hit double digits for the second time this season, while Taylor added five rebounds and a team-high five assists.
NSU also dominated in points in the paint, outscoring the Eagles 34-14. The Spartans held CSU to a 6-of-25 effort in the second half to pull away after holding a 13-point lead at the break.
The loss dropped CSU to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
The Spartans outscored Coppin State 11-4 in points off turnovers. Preston Bungei added a season-best nine points, while sophomore Jordan Butler added five points, six rebounds and four blocks.
NSU will stay on the road for its next trip, a three-game swing over five days beginning next Sunday at Northern Kentucky at 7 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.coppinstatesports.com
Massive Comeback Falls Just Short as NCAT Tops UMES 80-74
GREENSBORO, N.C. –The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) found itself trailing by as many as 21 points in the second half on the road at North Carolina A&T State and battled back to within one twice, but came up short in the closing minutes to fall 80-74.
At the half, the Hawks trailed 42-25 and NCAT pushed the lead to 21 points before UMES found the offense.
An 11-0 run started with a basket by Thomas Rivera, was followed by a pair of free throws from Shane Randall and ended with back-to-back 3-pointers by Ryan Andino and Mark Blackmon.
UMES cut the lead to one at 57-56 on a Devin Martin 3-pointer with 9:48 to go and then again at 75-74 on a 3-pointer from Rivera with 1:01 remaining.
Martin scored 14 points and added three rebounds, and a game-high seven assists, plus a block and two steals. Bakari Copeland chipped in 11 for the Hawks.
Dominique Elliott notched his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds for UMES. Blackmon finished with 12 points — two away from his career high.
Shane Randall and Devin Martin both fouled out for the Hawks.
The Hawks will next travel to East Lansing Michigan for a 7 p.m. contest on Dec. 9, before returning to their home state to face Maryland in College Park on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 4:15 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.ncataggies.com