title image via Kevin L. Dorsey
Courtesy of North Carolina Central Athletics
The North Carolina Central University men’s basketball team bounced back into the win column defeating St. Andrews University 121-61 on Tuesday afternoon behind 8-of-11 shooting from redshirt senior guard Floyd Rideau Jr. who cashed in all of his field goals from beyond the arc for a career-high 26 points.
Many of Rideau’s passes came from junior guard Dionte Johnson who made history by tying Darnell Evan’s record from 1982 with 16 assists.
This new Division I era record by Johnson tops former guard Fred Cleveland Jr. who passed for 15 assists at Coppin State University last season.
NCCU improves to 7-10 this season completing its non-conference schedule.
By the half, the Maroon and Gray were up 71-18 sparked by a 14-0 run.
NC Central never let up controlling the boards 62-24, the paint 64-26 and netting 40 fast break points.
Seven Eagles finished in double-figures, including junior forward Anthony Peoples Jr., who scored a career-high 16 points. Aquan Smart earned a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double, the first of his career.
NC Central made 49-of-87 (56.3 percent) of its field goals on 40 assists and never trailed.
St. Andrews’ Jaylin McDuffie had a team-high 15 points for the Knights.
The Eagles close out 2024 looking to open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on the road Saturday, Jan. 4 at Coppin State. Tip is set for 4:30 p.m. in Baltimore, Md.
