Cole has 27 points, leads NC Central to 9th straight win (Feb 11, 2017)

By AP
Published

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Patrick Cole had 27 points while dishing out eight assists and North Carolina Central ran over South Carolina State 85-62 on Saturday for its ninth straight win to remain atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings.

Del'Vin Dickerson added 20 points with eight rebounds and Kyle Benton chipped in 12 points, hitting 5 of 6 from the floor, for the Eagles (18-6, 9-1).

NCCU sprinted to a 40-25 halftime advantage, led 65-51 midway through the second half, and held an 80-60 advantage with 4:00 remaining.

The Eagles hit 30 of 57 (53 percent) field goal attempts while limiting South Carolina State to 25-of-57 (44 percent) shooting. The Eagles picked up 11 more points from the free throw line.

Ed Stephens and Tashombe Riley had 15 points apiece to lead the Bulldogs (7-17, 4-7) who have dropped four of their last five games.