DURHAM, NC - North Carolina Central University sophomore point guard Bryan Ayala connected on a running jump shot as time expired to give the Eagles a 67-65 win over Barton College in the B.C. Powder Men's Basketball Classic on Saturday.
NCCU (2-0) led 58-49 midway through the second half, but Barton, spurred by senior point guard Anthony Atkinson, went on a 14-2 run to take a 63-60 lead with just 2:03 remaining. The game's final minutes moved at a frantic pace as there were three lead changes during that span.
Atkinson, with his team trailing by two and just 15.7 seconds on the game clock, raced down the left sideline in McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium and converted on a difficult fade away jump shot, giving his team a 65-64 lead with only 5.1 seconds remaining in the contest.
Ayala received the ball from Eagles sophomore forward Warren Roberson, streaked through the middle of the Barton defense and let loose a 23-foot heave as time expired. The ball rolled around the rim, taunting fans of both teams before finally falling through the net, giving NCCU a dramatic 67-65 victory.
Ayala, who was named to the B.C. Powder Men's Basketball Classic Most Valuable Player, paced NCCU in scoring for the second consecutive game as he poured in 16 points and three assists. Senior guard Steve Randolph contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while senior center and Arlington, Texas native Jason Hervey amassed 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Senior forward Drew Johnson (10 points) was the fourth of four Eagles players who scored in double-figures.
BC (2-1) was led by Atkinson, who had a team-high 16 points, and junior forward Brian Leggett, who contributed 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
NCCU out-shot CSU 41.5 percent (22-of-53) to 38.2 percent (21-of-55) from the field.
The Eagles, off to their first 2-0 start since the 1997-1998 season, will face East Carolina University on Sunday, Nov. 26 in Greenville, N.C. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Posted By: B. Dwight Foster, B.A., MS-MANAGEMENT
Monday, November 20th 2006 at 11:02AM
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