NCCU Edges Out UMES in Pivotal Conference Matchup
PRINCESS ANNE, Md - North Carolina Central men’s basketball team earned their fourth-consecutive victory with a road win over MEAC rival Maryland Eastern-Shore 68-63.
Dec 13, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; North Carolina Central Eagles head coach LeVelle Moton looks on against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
As the close to the regular season of college basketball draws near, teams look to position themselves for an opportunity to compete for championships. Throughout the game's history, it's often true that the teams playing their best basketball closer to March would finish as either the conference or tournament champions.
The notion may apply to the 2022-23 North Carolina Central Eagles (NCCU), who entered Monday's contest riding a three-game win streak with an average margin of victory of 20.3 ppg during this stretch. Strong play and the fact that Maryland Eastern-Shore (UMES) defeated the Eagles at the buzzer on their home floor on Jan. 23 produced a highly intense atmosphere at tipoff.
First Half Slugfest
The highly anticipated matchup started even with both teams shooting an identical 5/11 from the field near the first half's midway point. UMES led 13 - 11 at the 11:42 mark before North Carolina Central head coach LeVelle Moton emboldened his group to elevate their level of play.
The Eagles responded, anchored by 7'0 graduate center Brendan Medley-Bacon who made life for UMES exceedingly difficult through his rim protection defensively and demand for attention on the offensive end. NCCU's effective use of their big man and lineups was enough to garner momentum that forced a visibly frustrated UMES team into double-digit first-half turnovers.
NCCU junior guard Ja'Darius Harris connected on a three-point basket to give the Eagles a six-point advantage with 7:42 remaining in the first half. With the nature of this tight contest, even the slimmest of margins proved to be substantial.
NCCU led at the half 30-23
Central Intelligence
The January 23rd meeting between these two schools featured an NCCU halftime lead that evaporated. To avenge that painful home defeat, the Eagles would need to evolve through a change in strategy and mentality. Coming out of the locker room, NCCU players could be overheard yelling, "let's put our feet on their necks ." The level of focus exhibited by the Eagles coaching staff and players preceded an 8 -0 NCCU run to open the second half.
In a blink of an eye, the UMES Hawks trailed by 15 at home with 17:19 remaining in this crucial ball game.
NCCU shot 45.7% from the field, which included pick and rolls, crisp ball movement, and back-door lobs. More importantly, NCCU capitalized off of 18 Maryland Eastern Shore turnovers. The advantage would grow to nineteen as North Carolina Central appeared to be the hungrier team.
Don't Call It a Comeback
Seeking to overcome a second-half deficit, UMES head coach Jason Crafton remained calm while at the same time instilling confidence in his group that history could repeat itself. Overcoming adversity is nothing new for a UMES team selected in preseason polls to finish 6th in the MEAC. However, they sit in third place while boasting a monumental win over Temple University.
Additionally, the Hawks entered this game down two injured starters, including leading senior scorer guard Kevon Voyles.
As the game seemingly slipped away with UMES trailing 55-39 with 5:09 remaining in the second half, the Hawks finally put together the run that was so desperately needed.
Full-court pressure and timely shot-making saw the Hawks close to within 3 points as NCCU led 61 - 58 with 44 seconds remaining. It's the type of finish coach Moton sought to avoid.
"We just got to learn how to finish games. It's kinda tough sometimes, man because when you're up, you don't get the calls. So they let whoever's downplay super aggressive, and you know it goes in their way, and they're favorable." stated Moton, who clashed with officials throughout the game.
Whistles, in fact, did play a factor as UMES was called for a questionable reaching foul while executing full-court pressure, still trailing by 3 points. The Eagles would go on to convert free throws down the stretch and never relinquish the lead.
Monday night's victory brings North Carolina Central's win total to 14 games with 11 losses and a conference record of 7-4, good for fourth place in the MEAC.
Maryland Eastern-Shore remains third in the MEAC with an overall record of 15-11, including 7-4 in the conference.
Both teams resume action on Saturday, Feb. 25, as UMES heads on the road to play Coppin State while NCCU looks to extend their win streak in a home matchup vs. Howard.