VIDEO NEWS STORY: Eagles drop Bulldogs

The N.C. Central University Eagles (13-12) pressured their conference foes the S.C. State Bulldogs (5-20) into a dismal 36 percent shooting performance. In contrast, the Eagles shot an impressive 54 percent for the game and won 71-56 prolonging the Bulldogs' 10-game conference losing streak.

The Eagles started all five seniors on "Senior Night" in guards Justin Leemow and Tramar Beaman, and forwards Dominique Sutton, Tracy O'Neal and Nick Chasten. The seniors raced to a 13-7 lead before the first substitutions.

"It's my last home game in front of the NCCU crowd, and to be here with my family and friends, it means a lot," said Chasten. "I'm glad we won on Senior Night the way we did."                  

Sutton led the team with 20 points on the night shooting a blistering 9 of 12 from the field, three of which were emphatic dunks. The Eagles got out to a fast start with multiple scoring runs. One spurt included a 14-4 scoring run midway through the first half putting them up 27-12 with 7:08 remaining off a Dominique Sutton layup.  The Eagles ended the half up 41-25.

"I haven't really been starting off too good in the home games, so tonight was kind of for me to get myself going, to be a little more aggressive and put the team on my back," said Sutton.

The second half went back and forth between the two teams, but the Eagles would prevail and the Bulldogs would never get within 12 points of the lead.

The Eagles got production from their bench, particularly from junior Ray Willis who contributed with 18 points and 8 rebounds and was a nearly perfect 10 of 11 from the free throw line. The Eagles' bench outscored the Bulldogs' 36-9.

The remaining four games will all be away for the Eagles, the next game against archrivals the Aggies of N.C. A&T (11-15). The Eagles beat the Aggies in their first meeting at home 65-46. However, the Aggies are a much improved team as they are tied with the Eagles for 7^thplace in the MEAC with a (6-5) record.

"We can't look at the first tape of the year because we don't have that same team out here, and I'm sure they made some adjustments and they're playing good basketball as well," Moton said.                       

Last season, the Eagles made a late rally and came back to defeat the Aggies in Greensboro in overtime.

"They got probably the most hostile environment in the world," Moton said. "They talk about your mama and everything up there."

Following the Aggie-Eagle classic, the Eagles' will venture to Indiana where they will face a tough test in the nationally ranked Hoosiers. The Hoosiers have knocked off Kentucky and Ohio State when they were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation respectively. 

"Indiana's a school full a history and we play them every year, so it will be fun to see what happens," said Chasten. "We have nothing to lose against them so we might as well come out, play our best and anything can happen."