DURHAM, N.C.- Savannah State placed four players in double figures but it would not be enough as the Tigers fell to North Carolina Central 65-60 in McDougald-McLendon Gym before 897 fans.

Rashad Hassan scored 14 points for SSU (9-14) followed by Tracy Rankins and Louis Arnold who had 11 each and Patrick Hardy who tossed in 10. Arnold also had nine rebounds.

A 3-pointer by Hardy tied the score at 58 with 3:59 remaining but SSU did not make another field goal the rest of the way as they missed five field goals and four free throws.

The contest featured 14 ties and 17 lead changes.

No team led by more than six points.

The Eagles led 41-37 early in the second half but SSU rallied with seven unanswered points to take a 44-41 lead with 14:47 on the clock.

SSU maintained their lead until Central tied the game at 49 at the 10:22 mark when Dami Sapara made two free throws.

The game was tied again at 51 with 8:17 left and at 58 with 3:59 remaining.

A free throw by Hardy put the Tigers ahead 59-58 with 3:20 left but NCCU outscored Savannah State 7-1 to earn their first Division I win of the season.

Dwayne Sims had 15 points for NCCU (5-20).

The teams were tied at 24 in the first half before the Tigers went on a 6-0 run to grab a 30-24 lead with just under four minutes left. NCCU responded to Savannah State with six unanswered points to end the half and tie the game at 30.

NCCU out-rebounded the Tigers 31 to 26.

Savannah State shot 52.2 percent from the floor in the second half and ended the game shooting 50 percent from the field. NCCU shot 54.5 percent from the floor in the second period and 45.1 percent for the game.

The Eagles made 7-of-14 3-point attempts while SSU was 5-of-17.