NORFOLK, Va. — In a riveting quarterfinal match of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament, North Carolina Central University stunned Delaware State with a thrilling 79-77 victory. Perry Smith Jr. delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 22 points, while Isaac Parson clinched the win with a last-second reverse layup. This crucial basket came just after Martaz Robinson’s three-pointer had leveled the score for Delaware State with only seven seconds to go.
The floor was electrified as Parson navigated the court swiftly, securing the victory for the sixth-seeded Eagles, who now hold a 14-18 season record. The triumph propels the Eagles into the semifinals where they will face No. 2 seed South Carolina State on Friday. In another semifinal clash, the top-seeded Norfolk State is set to contest against Morgan State, who hold the fifth seed.
Contributing significantly to the Eagles’ victory was Po’Boigh King, who sank four three-pointers en route to a 21-point game. Additionally, Jaqai Murray contributed 10 points, further enhancing the team’s offensive strength.
On the Delaware State side, Muneer Newton put forth a valiant effort with 27 points and nine rebounds, becoming a formidable presence on the court. Supporting him, Robinson—who not only scored the crucial three-pointer in the dying moments—totaled 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Robert Smith added 11 points and executed three steals.
The Eagles established a narrow lead by halftime, entering the break ahead 35-31, with King accumulating nine points in the first half. In the second half, Smith emerged as the driving force with 16 points, contributing decisively to North Carolina Central’s unexpected victory.
