BALTIMORE (Interstat) — North Carolina Central used a strong second half to defeat Morgan State 89-78 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Hill Field House. The Eagles, who led 35-32 at halftime, pulled away after the break behind Khouri Carvey’s 21 points. Alfred Worrell scored a game-high 29 points for the Bears. Elijah Davis added 11 points and 10 assists for Morgan State. North Carolina Central improved to 7-11 overall. Morgan State fell to 4-13. An announced crowd of 471 attended.

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive efficiency and a decisive second-half surge, the North Carolina Central Eagles secured an 89-78 road victory over the Morgan State Bears in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball matchup Monday night at Hill Field House. The Eagles, who led 35-32 at halftime, exploded for 54 points after the break to pull away from the Bears before an announced crowd of 471. The win improved North Carolina Central’s record to 7-11 overall, while Morgan State fell to 4-13. The most critical phase of the contest came early in the second half. After trading baskets in the opening minutes, North Carolina Central unleashed a 12-2 run that transformed a narrow two-point lead into a commanding 12-point advantage. The sequence was fueled by the Eagles’ primary offensive weapons and highlighted their superior ball movement and shot-making. Khouri Carvey converted inside, Gage Lattimore scored in transition off a Dionte Johnson steal, and Jae’Daun Slack found Carvey for another layup. This burst, which pushed the score to 49-37, established a cushion that Morgan State would challenge but never seriously threaten. North Carolina Central’s victory was built on historically efficient offense. The Eagles shot a blistering 63.8% from the field, making 30 of their 47 attempts. They were even more effective inside the arc, complementing their 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range. Their offensive rating of 129.6 points per 100 possessions underscored a night where they maximized nearly every opportunity. Despite attempting 16 fewer field goals than Morgan State, the Eagles’ accuracy and ability to draw fouls proved decisive; they made 25 of 33 free throws. Morgan State, conversely, struggled with its shooting, connecting on just 24 of 55 field goal attempts for 43.6%. The Bears were hampered by a 7-for-22 performance from three-point range. They did dominate the offensive glass, grabbing 12 rebounds to North Carolina Central’s 3, but could not translate those extra chances into enough points to keep pace. The individual battle featured standout performances on both sides. For North Carolina Central, Khouri Carvey of Wilson, North Carolina, led the way with 21 points, three assists and a block in 31 minutes, anchoring the Eagles’ efficient attack. He was supported by Gage Lattimore of Greensboro, North Carolina, who played the entire 40 minutes, scoring 20 points and dishing out four assists. Kelechi Okworogwo of the Bronx, New York, provided a massive spark off the bench with 17 points in just 18 minutes on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. Dionte Johnson, also of the Bronx, orchestrated the offense with 10 assists. Morgan State was carried by the scoring of Alfred Worrell of Washington, D.C., who poured in a game-high 29 points. Elijah Davis of Severn, Maryland, recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists. Christian Meeks of Hazel Crest, Illinois, added 12 points. The game’s statistical profile revealed a stark contrast in styles. North Carolina Central recorded six assists and six steals, while Morgan State managed only three assists and three steals. The Eagles also committed fewer turnovers, nine to the Bears’ 11. Morgan State’s two blocks, one each from Worrell and Christian Oliver, were a rare defensive bright spot against the Eagles’ relentless offensive execution. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Morgan State entered the game with a 57.3% probability to win. However, North Carolina Central closed as a narrow 1-point favorite in the betting markets. The combined final score of 167 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 148.5. The victory gives North Carolina Central its second consecutive conference win following a road victory at Coppin State on Saturday. Morgan State sees a brief two-game win streak snapped after defeating South Carolina State in its previous outing. North Carolina Central next hosts Howard on Saturday. Morgan State travels to face Delaware State, also on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Durham on Feb. 16.

Preview: North Carolina Central Eagles at Morgan State Bears BALTIMORE (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play will meet Monday when the Morgan State Bears host the North Carolina Central Eagles at Hill Field House. Both squads enter with struggling overall records but are coming off conference victories this past Saturday. North Carolina Central (6-11) earned an 88-77 road win at Coppin State, while Morgan State (4-12) defended its home court with a 72-67 victory over South Carolina State. The matchup features a clash of standout performers. North Carolina Central is powered by forward Khouri Carvey, who is coming off a dominant stretch. In his last four games, Carvey has averaged 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds, including a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double in a win over Norfolk State on Jan. 3. Morgan State will counter with guard Alfred Worrell, who has provided explosive scoring. Worrell dropped a season-high 32 points in a blowout win over Penn State Brandywine on Dec. 30 and is averaging 15.6 points over his last five contests. The Eagles have faced a challenging non-conference schedule, including road losses to power conference opponents Kentucky, Penn State and Dayton. Their conference win over Coppin State marked their first victory away from home this season. Morgan State’s non-conference slate was equally daunting, featuring lopsided road losses to California, San Francisco and DePaul. The Bears’ win over South Carolina State snapped a four-game skid. Historically, the MEAC standings are often decided by which teams can consistently win at home and steal a few on the road. This game represents an early opportunity for both to gain ground. North Carolina Central’s next game is at home against Howard on Jan. 17. Morgan State hits the road to face Delaware State on the same date. Monday’s tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.