NICEVILLE, Fla. — North Carolina Central University held the lead over Southern for 36:41 of 40 minutes on the way to an 83-71 win over the Jaguars in the final round of the Emerald Coast Classic at The Arena at Northwest Florida State College.
SU (0-6) scored the first two buckets of the contest, but NCCU (2-5) quickly snatched the lead and held it for the remainder of the contest. Randy Miller Jr. (Odenton, Md.) got hot early as he poured in 13 of his game-high 22 points in the first half, helping the Eagles to a 39-31 lead at the break.
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SU put together a strong performance in the final 20 minutes, as the Eagles and Jaguars were separated by just four total points but NCCU held firm to pull away with the 83-71 victory in the final round of the holiday tournament.
Raasean Davis (Chicago, Ill.), Rashann London (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Larry McKnight Jr. (North Miami, Fla.) each put in 15 points with Davis adding six rebounds, and McKnight picked up five boards of his own. Miller finished with a game-high five assists, and London followed with three assists and four rebounds.
Jayden Saddler (Aberdeen, Md.) led the Jaguars with 18 points, and Eddie Reese (Detroit, Mich.) added 14 points.
NCCU will return to McDougald-McLendon Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 28 against Christendom at 7:00 p.m.
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