NCCU Eagles Swept By Rivals NC A&T

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University Eagles men’s basketball contest with North Carolina A&T came down to the final seconds, but the Aggies escaped with a 55-53 win on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Corbett Center.

The first half of the contest played similarly to the first meeting in Durham, as the first 20 minutes featured three lead changes between NCCU and NCAT (11-10, 7-1 MEAC). Justin Whatley was a catalyst for the Eagles as he knocked down a pair of treys and had a game-high eight points at the break, however, a late three from the Aggies sent them ahead, 28-26 at the break.

The second half was just as cagy as the first, as there were 12 more lead changes as the game wound to its conclusion. Both sides were locked at 52 with two minutes remaining in regulation, and a late missed free throw with 13 seconds left gave the Eagles a chance to force overtime. However, the final shot bounced off the iron, and the game finished at 55-53.

Jamir Moultrie scored a game-high 14 points, and Whatley was a big factor for NCCU with 12 points and eight rebounds. Four Eagles pulled down five or more boards, led by Jahnathan Maxwell who had a season-high and joint game-high nine caroms. C.J. Keyser snagged seven boards with 11 points, and Jordan Perkins grabbed seven rebounds with a joint game-high four assists in his hometown.

Of note, the Eagles as a squad collected 50 rebounds, and that is the most against a MEAC opponent in a regular-season game in the Division I era.

Kameron Langley led NCAT with 12 points and nine rebounds, and Webster Filmore also chipped in 12 points. Kwe Parker was the third Aggie to reach double-digits with 11 points and four assists.

The Eagles (4-7, 2-5 MEAC) will finish the regular season at home with a two-game set with Florida A&M on March 3 and 4 inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.