DURHAM, N.C.-
Dexter McClanahan's jumper with 1:12 left proved to be the game-winner as Savannah State upset North Carolina Central 74-73, in a game played at McDougald-McLebndon Arena, before a crowd of 2,276.
It was contest pitting the top two defensive units in the conference. SSU entered the game surrendering 69 points per game while the Eagles were giving up 70.2 points a clip.
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The win by Savannah State halted NCCU's 13-game winning streak. North Carolina Central came out victorious against SSU in their previous six meetings.
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Savannah State (12-16, 9-6 MEAC) led 47-36 early in the second half but the Eagles used a 12-2 run to close their gap to one with 14:16 left.
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NCCU whittled away at the Savannah State lead and took a 63-61 lead with 6:29 showing, after a 3-pointer by Ron Trapps.
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The Eagles led by three with 5:20 remaining but SSU went ahead 70-66 after a layup by McClanahan and a 3-pointer by
Zach Sellers.
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SSU held a 72-68 advantage with just over three minutes left but North Carolina Central answered with a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer by Rashaun Madison for a 73-72 lead with 1:38 remaining.
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After a 30 second timeout by the home team, SSU worked the ball down-court and McClanahan hit his jumper.
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Madison missed a 3-pointer with two seconds left.
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McClanahan led the Tigers with 23 points while Robert Kelly came off the bench to add 11 points and seven rebounds.
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Savannah State by 11 points with 2:32 left in the opening period but NCCU sliced their lead to five with 37 seconds left.
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A 3-pointer by Wells with eight seconds remaining sent the Tigers into intermission with a 44-36 advantage.
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SSU shot 56.7 percent from the floor in the first half and 46.8 percent for the game. The Tigers made 34.6 percent of their 3-point shots and 70 percent of their free throw attempts.
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Patrick Cole had 21 points for NCCU (22-7, 13-2 MEAC).
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The Eagles shot 42.3 percent from the floor but made just 12.9 percent of their 3-point attempts and 56.3 percent of their free throw attempts.
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NCCU out-rebounded the Tigers 45 to 35 and out-scored SSU 26-9 on second chance points.