North Carolina Central delivered a strong second-half performance to secure an 88-77 win over Coppin State at the Physical Education Complex. The Eagles, who trailed by 14 at halftime, outscored the Eagles 57-32 in the final 20 minutes to seal the victory. Jamari Piercy led Coppin State with 19 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the visitors' surge.
The first half belonged to Coppin State, as they built a 45-31 lead behind Piercy's 12 points. Khali Horton and Torrin Andrews also contributed to the Eagles' strong start, scoring 10 and 9 points, respectively. However, North Carolina Central regrouped at halftime and came out with renewed energy. Jae Slack, who finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds, sparked the Eagles' offense, and they quickly erased the deficit.
Gage Lattimore and Tekao Carpenter also played crucial roles for North Carolina Central, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively. The Eagles' balanced attack and relentless pressure on defense allowed them to take control of the game. As the second half wore on, Coppin State struggled to keep pace, and North Carolina Central's lead continued to grow.
The win marks a solid performance for North Carolina Central, who improved to 7-12 on the season. While the victory may not significantly boost their tournament chances, it does provide a much-needed confidence boost. For Coppin State, the loss drops them to 3-19, and they want to regroup and refocus for their next outing.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, which means it won't carry significant weight in terms of tournament resume building. However, for North Carolina Central, the win does help to pad their record and provides a positive note to build on. Coppin State, on the other hand, must focus on improving their overall performance to avoid a disappointing season.
In the end, North Carolina Central's strong second-half performance and balanced offense proved too much for Coppin State to handle. As the season progresses, the Eagles want to build on this momentum and make a push for a stronger finish. With this win, North Carolina Central's tournament chances remain a long shot, but they have taken a small step in the right direction. For now, they will focus on their next game, looking to continue their winning ways and make the most of their remaining schedule.