WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- Savannah State broke open a close game with a 21-8 run as the Tigers defeated North Carolina Central 64-50 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference "Bonus Game" played at LJVM Coliseum.

SSU ends the season with a five-game winning streak and have won 10 of their last 11 games to improve to 12-18.

With the Tigers ahead 30-29 early in the second period, SSU used the run to increase their lead to 51-37 with 9:54 remaining.

The Eagles (15-15) cut their deficit to 56-47 with 5:21 left but could not get any closer as Savannah State answered with five straight points to make it a 61-47 margin with 2:39 on the clock.

Preston Blackmon led the Tigers with a game-high 16 points and 5 assists. Cedric Smith came off the bench to add 14 points while senior Jovonni Shuler had 13 points and freshman Jyles Smith grabbed a game-high 8 rebounds and 3 blocks.

SSU scored the first four points of the contest as they raced out to a 12-4 lead.

The Eagles battled back to tie the game at 15 and led 21-17 with 6:45 left in the half.

Savannah State led 30-27 at the break.

Landon Clement's layup to open the second half pulled NCCU within 30-29 but the Tigers scored seven unanswered points to start their big run.

Clement had 14 points and 6 rebounds to pace NCCU.

NCCU shot 47.4 percent from the floor in the opening half while the Tigers shot 47.6 percent from the floor in the second period.