Image via Doug Burt
It came down to the last possession but in this clash for the MEAC’s pole position, North Carolina Central was able to hang on to defeat Maryland Eastern Shore, 65-63.
The first half was a low-scoring affair largely controlled by North Carolina Central. The Eagles led by as much as 12 points in the opening half, leading for the entirety of the half, save a 47-second segment via a Zion Obanla layup that put the Hawks up 22-21. A three-point play from Takeo Carpenter gave the Eagles a 26-22 lead at halftime.
N.C. Central continued to show the way in the second half, building as much as a 7-point lead at 31-24. UMES stayed within striking distance, eventually taking a lead at 36-35 lead on Michael Teal’s fast break layup at the 15:17 mark. After NCCU briefly jumped back out in front 37-36 on Kalechi Okworogwo, Dorian Staples’ three-pointer helped the Hawks reclaim a 39-37 advantage.
Central reclaimed the point at 40-39 on Kyric Davis’ fast break layup at the 13.33 mark. The game was tied again at 42 before Davis’ layup put the Eagles back in front 44-42. Central showed the way until Obanla’s layup tied the game at 63 with just 0:40 remaining in the contest. A trio of UMES airballs resulted in a 24-second violation.
On the ensuing NCCU possession, Gage Lattimore was fouled with 0:02 remaining. He knocked both free throws down, putting the Eagles up 65-63.
The UMES game-tying shot fell no good, preserving the win for N.C. Central.
Jae Slack led two Eagles in double figures with 19 points, while Dionte Johnson added 18 of his own.
In a losing effort, Zion Obanla led Eastern Shore with 19 points and 15 boards. Dorian Cooper added 14 points and Jaden Cooper contributed 12 points.
North Carolina Central (8-12, 4-1) now sits atop the MEAC and will face Norfolk State Saturday, February 7, with tip-off scheduled for 4:30 pm EST.
Maryland Eastern Shore (8-15, 4-2) has dropped back-to-back conference games and returns to action against South Carolina State on February 4 at 8 p.m.
