DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men’s basketball team earned a 71-59 victory on Saturday evening over Coppin State University in McDougald-McLendon Arena. The Eagles bounced back at home after two straight road losses.
Junior Po’Boigh King led all scorers with 16 points. Redshirt senior guard Aquan Smart also finished in double figures with 13 points without missing a shot (5-of-5). Senior wing Timmy Adedire had a team-high eight rebounds.
NCCU is now 11-14 with a 4-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record.
Before the ball was tipped, redshirt senior guard Isaac Parson was honored with a game ball for achieving his 1,000th career point earlier this season during MEAC play. With six assists in the contest, he also passed the 100 assists mark for the season and leads the conference in assists per game (4.5).
In the Battle of the Eagles, both squads were pretty much even statistically. NC Central and Coppin State had the same amount of turnovers (15), steals (8), rebounds (35) and CSU had one less personal foul than NCCU (16).
The big difference was shooting from beyond the arc. The Maroon and Gray went 12-of-25 from the three-point line (48 percent) while Coppin State only made six of its 22 from long distance. Smart was a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, while King knocked down four.
NC Central also capitalized on second chance points (14-9), fast break points (18-7) and bench points (33-12).
NCCU also had a season-high eight blocks as Smart and senior Keishon Porter swatted two shots apiece to lead the way.
Next up the NC Central Eagles host Morgan State University tonight (Monday, Feb. 17) at 7:30 p.m.
Source: NCCU Athletics/NCCUEaglePride.com
