North Carolina Central Eagles @ Houston Cougars
Houston uses 2nd half comeback to down NC Central, 73-65
HOUSTON -- Devonta Pollard scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Houston to a 73-65 over North Carolina Central Wednesday night to open the Global Basketball Classic.
Houston (7-1) entered the game fresh off a win over LSU, the Cougars first win over an SEC since the 2011-12 season. Houston now is 7-0 on its home floor this season.
Kyle Benton hit a jumper with 5 seconds left in the first half to send North Carolina Central into intermission with a 31-28 lead and the Eagles maintained the advantage until LeRon Barnes' 3-pointer with 10:40 left gave the Cougars the lead, 46-45 and Rob Gray Jr. pushed it to 54-49 with back-to-back baskets.
Damyean Dotson and Gray both added 14 points for Houston.
Patrick Cole led NC Central with 17points off the bench. Jeremiah Ingram and Dajuan Graf added 13 and12 points, respectively, for the Eagles.
Game Information
Houston, TX
Referee:Mike Stuart
Referee:Bert Smith
Referee:Raymie Styons
2025-26 Standings
| Mid-Eastern Athletic ConferenceMid-Eastern Athletic Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | 11-3 | - | 24-11 |
| Morgan State | 10-4 | 1 | 14-16 |
| Norfolk State | 8-6 | 3 | 15-17 |
| North Carolina Central | 8-6 | 3 | 14-18 |
| South Carolina State | 7-7 | 4 | 10-22 |
| Maryland Eastern Shore | 5-9 | 6 | 9-23 |
| Coppin State | 5-9 | 6 | 7-24 |
| Delaware State | 2-12 | 9 | 8-23 |
| Big 12 ConferenceBig 12 Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 16-2 | - | 36-3 |
| Houston | 14-4 | 2 | 30-7 |
| Iowa State | 12-6 | 4 | 29-8 |
| Kansas | 12-6 | 4 | 24-11 |
| Texas Tech | 12-6 | 4 | 23-11 |
| TCU | 11-7 | 5 | 23-12 |
| BYU | 9-9 | 7 | 23-12 |
| UCF | 9-9 | 7 | 21-12 |
| West Virginia | 9-9 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Cincinnati | 9-9 | 7 | 18-15 |
| Colorado | 7-11 | 9 | 17-16 |
| Arizona State | 7-11 | 9 | 17-16 |
| Oklahoma State | 6-12 | 10 | 20-15 |
| Baylor | 6-12 | 10 | 17-17 |
| Kansas State | 3-15 | 13 | 12-20 |
| Utah | 2-16 | 14 | 10-22 |
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