North Carolina Central Eagles Hold Off Morgan State Bears 80-76 Behind Lattimore's 21 Points

The North Carolina Central Eagles held off a late surge from the Morgan State Bears, securing an 80-76 victory at McDougald-McLendon Arena. This win marked the Eagles' 10th of the season, as they improved to 10-14 overall, while Morgan State fell to the same record. The Eagles' 51-point first half set the tone for the game, with Gage Lattimore scoring 13 of his 21 points in the opening period. Morgan State, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, scoring just 30 points in the first half, with Elijah Davis managing only 8 of his 25 points.

As the second half got underway, Morgan State began to find their footing, outscoring the Eagles 46-29. The Bears' Walter Peggs Jr. and Alfred Worrell Jr. combined for 16 points in the second half, helping to narrow the deficit. However, the Eagles' Dionte Johnson and Jae Slack made crucial plays late, with Johnson scoring 8 of his 16 points in the second half and Slack adding 10 of his 14 points. The Eagles' ability to maintain a lead, despite being outscored in the second half, was a reflection of their strong first-half performance, where they shot 55% from the field and 45% from three, making 5 of their 11 attempts.

The stat line doesn't do justice to the impact that Gage Lattimore had on the game, as he hit several big shots, including a three-pointer with 5 minutes remaining to stretch the Eagles' lead to 10 points. Elijah Davis, on the other hand, was nearly unstoppable for Morgan State, scoring 17 points in the second half, including 3 three-pointers. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the Eagles' strong team performance, with four players scoring in double figures. The Eagles' bench also outscored the Bears' 15-10, with 10 of those points coming in the first half.

The CHD Scout prediction of a 1-point North Carolina Central victory was spot on, as the Eagles won by 4 points.

The prediction was correct because North Carolina Central's strong first-half performance set the tone for the game, and they were able to hold off Morgan State's late surge. The Eagles' ability to shoot 55% from the field in the first half and make 5 three-pointers was a key factor in their victory. The model correctly accounted for the Eagles' strong offense, which has averaged 52.2 points per game over their last 5 contests, and the Bears' struggles on defense, which have allowed 61.2 points per game over their last 5 games.

The win for North Carolina Central marks their second in their last 5 games, with their trend showing an average of 52.2 points per game, while allowing 51.8 points per game. Morgan State, on the other hand, had been on a roll, winning 4 of their last 5 games, with an average of 65 points per game. However, their trend also shows that they have struggled on the road, with 3 of their last 5 losses coming away from home. The Eagles' victory was also significant given their recent form, with 2 of their last 5 games being decided by 5 points or less.

As the season enters its final stretch, games like this matters in determining tournament seeding and bubble teams.

The win for North Carolina Central does little to change their tournament picture, as they remain a long shot to make the tournament. However, the loss for Morgan State could be significant, as they had been trending upwards and were looking to solidify their position. The Bears' Quad 4 loss will not help their case, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament. With a current NET rank of 353, Morgan State must win out and hope for some help from other teams to have any chance of making the tournament. The Eagles, on the other hand, want to build on this win and try to finish the season strong, with their current NET rank of 340 giving them a slight edge over Morgan State.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. However, the Eagles' strong first half and clutch performances from Lattimore and Johnson ultimately was the difference. The win was a much-needed boost for the Eagles, who had been struggling to find consistency this season. With 4 games remaining on their schedule, the Eagles want to build on this momentum and try to finish the season on a high note. For Morgan State, the loss was a setback, but they will have to regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament. The Bears' recent form had been impressive, with 4 wins in their last 5 games, but this loss will be a tough one to bounce back from.

In the end, the Eagles' victory was a reflection of their resilience and determination. Despite being outscored in the second half, they were able to hold on and secure the win. The game was a thrilling affair, with both teams giving it their all and leaving everything on the court. The Eagles' 80-76 victory over Morgan State will be a memorable one, and it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to this result in their upcoming games. With the season entering its final stretch, every game counts, and this win could be a crucial one for the Eagles as they look to finish the season strong. The Eagles' strong team performance, combined with their ability to hold off Morgan State's late surge, makes them a team to watch in the coming weeks.

HEADLINE: North Carolina Central Eagles Hold Off Morgan State Bears 80-76 Behind Lattimore's 21 Points SUBHEADLINE: The Eagles' win marks their 10th of the season, and they improve to 10-14 overall, while Morgan State falls to the same record, with 4 games remaining on their schedule and a current NET rank of 353.