DURHAM, N.C. – For the third consecutive game, the NC Central University men’s basketball program saw the game decided on the final shot; and, once again, NCCU came away with a narrow win, 69-68, over Coppin State on Saturday, Feb. 5 inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.
NCCU (10-10, 4-1 MEAC) took early command from the game as it raced out to a 14-2 lead over CSU (5-16, 4-3 MEAC) in the first seven minutes, but CSU regained its composure and charged back at NCCU. CSU knotted the game up twice in the first half, but NCCU was able to take a narrow one-point lead to the locker room, 37-36.
After the intermission, CSU immediately forced a turnover at the start of the half, and Tyree Corbett (Philadelphia, Pa.) jammed home a dunk to give the guests its first lead of the game. NCCU quickly retaliated with a jumper from Justin Wright (Greenville, N.C.), but a quick three in response from Kyle Cardaci (Holmdel, N.J.) allowed CSU to step into the driver’s seat.
Just like how NC Central claimed a double-digit lead in the first half, CSU went up by 10, 53-43, with 12 minutes left. From that point on, NCCU outscored CSU 20-9 during a remarkable seven-minute stretch to get back in front, 63-62, with just under five minutes to go. Both teams traded field goals down the stretch, but Wright hit a big layup for NCCU to put the home side up, 69-68 with 22 seconds remaining. CSU had one more opportunity, but left a shot short to allow NCCU to pull out the one-point win.
Wright scored 17 of his career-high 25 points in the second half to help NCCU to the big win, and Kris Monroe (Raleigh, N.C.) recorded his second double-double of the year with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Corbett led CSU with a big double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, followed by Nendah Tarke (Gaithersburg, Md.) contributed 13 points with eight caroms. Justin Steers (Philadelphia, Pa.) put in 12 points with a game-high six assists, and Cardaci matched him with 12 points of his own.
NCCU will now head on the road to face South Carolina State on Monday, Feb. 7.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
