Men's Basketball | 2/2/2026 10:11:00 PM

DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central men's basketball team earned its fourth conference win in a 65-63 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday evening at McDougald-McLendon Arena. This was the first game in 15 days for the Eagles as weather altered the final three games of January.  

NCCU (8-12, 4-1 MEAC) was led by Jae Slack and Dionte Johnson. Slack started off the game hot, finishing with 19 points, while Johnson scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and passed for seven assists. Gage Lattimore gave the Eagles the lead with 3.8 seconds remaining with a pair of made free throws.

The Eagles controlled the beginning of the game, up by 12 through the first ten minutes causing seven turnovers at that point. The Hawks began to chip away, eventually tying the game at 20 with just over five minutes remaining with a 12-0 run. The two teams would go back-and-forth with NCCU taking the 26-24 lead into the half.  

UMES and NCCU continued trading buckets, as the Hawks let it fly from beyond the arc. Kyric Davis came into the game and made an impact in the second half, finishing with nine points as Khouri Carvey battled with foul trouble, eventually racking up his fifth before the final media timeout.

NC Central struggled from the field in the final minutes, as the Eagles didn't score a field goal in the last 4:26. The two teams combined for eight free throw attempts from that timestamp.

UMES' Zion Obanla scored two straight layups off turnovers, tying the contest at 63 with 40 seconds remaining. After an Eagle turnover, a Hawk shotclock violation gave NCCU a chance to take that lead as Lattimore was fouled in the act of shooting with 3.8 seconds remaining. Lattimore calmly went to the line and made both.

Jaden Cooper, of the Hawks, had a look at the basket, but missed the layup as the Eagles survived in the Nest.  

NCCU capitalized off 22 turnovers by the Hawks, cashing in 28 points. Though UMES knocked down more threes (9-of-16), the Eagles caught up at the free throw line and on the fastbreak. The Maroon and Gray were outrebounded 34-22, leading to a 15-1 second chance point advantage for the Hawks.

UMES (8-15, 4-2 MEAC) has now lost two straight after a 4-0 start against MEAC competition. Both losses were on the road as the Hawks continue a five-game road trip. Obanla had 19 points and 15 rebounds for Maryland Eastern Shore.  

NC Central hits the road for a battle with Norfolk State on Saturday, Feb. 7. The Eagles won the first contest in early January at home. Tip is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

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