Box Score DURHAM, N.C.- North Carolina Central shot 52.6 percent from the field in the second half and went on to defeat Savannah State 51-47 before a crowd of 834 in McDougald-McLendon Gym.

A jumper by Savannah State's Khiry White tied the game at 40 with 4:46 remaining but NCCU answered with a jumper from Emanuel Chapman. Stanton Kidd then stole the ball from White and made a layup to give the Eagles a 44-40 advantage with 3:28 on the clock.

NCCU led 47-42 with 28 seconds left but just seven seconds later Patrick Hendley knocked down a 3-pointer for the Tigers to get SSU within two.

Two free throws from Ray Willis followed by a dunk by Alfonzo Houston put Central ahead 51-45 with five seconds left.

Preston Blackman made a layup for SSU (17-12, 10-4) with one second on the clock for the final points of the game.

SSU stumbled out of the game, shooting 31.8 percent from the floor in the opening period and 39-1 for the game.

Blackman was the only Tiger player in double figures with 13 points. Deven Williams added eight points while Arold Louis chipped in seven points and seven rebounds.

NCCU held a slim 14-13 lead in the first half but added five straight points to get their advantage to 19-13 with 3:49 remaining.

After a free throw by SSU's Chris Spears, Antonin Galaya drained a 3-pointer to give the Eagles their largest lead of the game at 22-14 with 2:50 left.

NCCU led 24-19 at the break.

The Eagles (20-8, 13-1) controlled the boards 33 to 23 and had two players in double figures. Kidd and Willis each scored 10 points.

SSU trailed by two with 15 minutes left in the second half but six unanswered points by Central ran the Tigers deficit to 34-26 with 13:42 left.

The Tigers answered with a 14-6 run to tie the game at 40.