In an exhilarating finish in Durham, N.C., North Carolina Central triumphed over Norfolk State with a 91-87 victory in overtime on Monday night. Keishon Porter was instrumental in the win, contributing a remarkable 24 points.
The crucial moment came when Po’Boigh King executed a layup with 3:22 remaining in the overtime period, securing an 80-78 edge for the Eagles. From that juncture, North Carolina Central maintained its lead until the final buzzer.
This defeat impacts Norfolk State significantly, as they now find themselves in a first-place tie with South Carolina State within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. With one game left in the regular season, the Spartans and the South Carolina State Bulldogs have been neck-and-neck this season, each winning a respective home game by a mere two points against each other.
In addition to Porter’s outstanding performance, he also managed to grab five rebounds and make three steals for the Eagles, who currently hold a 13-17 overall record and a 6-7 showing in their conference. Po’Boigh King added to the team’s tally with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting, successfully making two shots from behind the arc. Dionte Johnson also contributed 13 points to the Eagles’ efforts.
On the opposing side, the Spartans, now at 20-10 overall with a 10-3 conference record, witnessed an impressive offensive display from Brian Moore Jr., who scored 24 points alongside facilitating six assists. Christian Ings and Kuluel Mading both pitched in with 13 points each to bolster Norfolk State’s competitive edge.
As the regular season reaches its conclusion on Thursday, both teams face critical matchups that could define their positions heading into post-season play. North Carolina Central is set to face South Carolina State on the road, while Norfolk State will travel for a clash against Howard.
