NCCU Wins MEAC Season Opener Against FAMU

DURHAM, N.C. – The N.C. Central Eagles wanted to start 2020 with a bang. However, NCCU started off sluggish against the Florida A&M University Rattlers.

The Rattlers had their largest lead of the game, 7-2, with 14:08 left in the 1st Half. NCCU tied the game at halftime at 28.

The Eagles found their rhythm coming out of halftime and defeated the Rattlers (2-10 overall, 0-1 MEAC) 61-45 in their MEAC season-opener despite sloppy play in the first half.

NCCU senior forward Jibri Blount played the entire 40 minutes and led the Eagles with a double-double of  23 points and 11 rebounds. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native made the first field goal of the game for NCCU. Blount shot 43.8 percent from the floor.

“We’re just trying to stay focused and lock-in on the game plan. It was a great effort,” Blount said.  “It’s a great feeling to start the year off right, to play strong and play hard.”

NCCU  shot 46.4 percent, 23-52, from the field, but 25 percent, 4-16, from the 3-point line.

NCCU junior guard Jordan Perkins came off the bench and 7-for-9 from the field for 15 points. Fellow junior guard Deven Palmer scored 11 points off the bench for NCCU

For the Rattlers, senior guard Rod Melton, Jr. had 18 points to lead his team in scoring. Florida A&M sophomore guard MJ Randolph added 10 points, and junior guard D.J. Jones grabbed 13 rebounds.

What’s Next

Florida A&M travels to Greensboro next Monday, Jan. 6, to face the N.C. A&T Aggies. at 7:30 p.m.

NCCU begins their four-game road trip with a matchup against Delaware State Hornets next Saturday, Jan. 11, in Dover, Del., at Memorial Hall.

The Eagles’ next home game is Saturday, Jan. 25, at 4 p.m., against the Hornets.

(Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost)

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