North Carolina Central Eagles @ Northern Kentucky Norse
| 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|
NCCU | 42 | 40 | 82 |
NKU | 29 | 45 | 74 |
Cole scores career-high 32 in NC Central's victory, 82-74
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Patrick Cole scored a career-high 32 points and also had 10 rebounds and eight assists to lead North Carolina Central over Northern Kentucky 82-74 on Saturday night.
Dajuan Graf added 16 points and Pablo Rivas 11 for the Eagles (3-2), who shot 50.8 percent to win their third consecutive game.
Drew McDonald scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds in posting his third double-double this season for the Norse (3-3). Lavone Holland II also scored 20 points.
NC Central shot out to a 42-29 halftime lead behind 15 points from Cole.
The Norse got as close as four in the second half and were within six, 77-71, before Graf hit a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left. Holland responded with a 3-pointer but Cole added a final free throw with 18 seconds remaining and Northern Kentucky's Jalen Tate missed a 3-pointer at the other end.
Game Information
Highland Heights, KY
Referee:Mike Kitts
Referee:Rusty Cooper
Referee:Jason Mirabito
2025-26 Standings
| Mid-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 |
| Horizon League | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 15-5 | - | 23-12 |
| Robert Morris | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| Green Bay | 12-8 | 3 | 18-15 |
| Detroit Mercy | 12-8 | 3 | 17-15 |
| Oakland | 12-8 | 3 | 16-16 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 11-9 | 4 | 17-15 |
| Northern Kentucky | 10-10 | 5 | 20-14 |
| Youngstown State | 8-12 | 7 | 15-17 |
| Milwaukee | 8-12 | 7 | 12-20 |
| Cleveland State | 6-14 | 9 | 11-22 |
| IU Indianapolis | 3-17 | 12 | 7-25 |
Men's College Basketball News
Get to know NBA draft prospect Darryn Peterson
2d
Kendrick Perkins agrees to role as Jackson State GM
2d
Green Bay's Gottlieb gets extension after improved 2nd season
2d
