Davis, McKnight lead NC Central past Bethune-Cookman 68-59
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Raasean Davis scored 16 points with 12 rebounds and North Carolina Central beat Bethune-Cookman 68-59 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener on Saturday.
Davis was 7-of-7 shooting from the field for the Eagles (6-9, 1-0). Larry McKnight Jr., Jordan Perkins and Reggie Gardner Jr. added 12 points apiece.
North Carolina Central trailed 11-4 early but Bethune-Cookman slumped midway and Gardner and Jibri Blount combined for three 3-pointers to help put the Eagles on top 16-11 and they held on for a 25-22 edge at the break.
Bethune-Cookman got as close as 34-30 early in the second half but McKnight replied with a pair of layups and a dunk to help push it to 49-38 with 9:05 to play. A dunk by Davis made it 56-42 with 5:12 left and the Eagles cruised from there.
Cletrell Pope scored 15 points and a career-high 20 rebounds for the Wildcats (5-10, 0-1).
