C.J. Wilkerson scored 23 points, leading North Carolina Central in a 75-50 rout of Tennessee-Temple on Friday night in the first round of the BC Powder Classic.
Both Nick Chasten and Vincent Davis tallied double-doubles for the Eagles (2-15). Chasten scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Davis had 13 points and a career-high 10 boards.
The Eagles trailed early in the game, but rebounded to take a 37-25 halftime lead. They broke the game open in the second on a 17-8 run midway through the frame.
The Eagles, who snapped an eight-game losing streak, outrebounded the Crusaders 47-31 and outscored them 43-16 in the paint.
Ed Pellot-Rosa scored 12 points and Vic Taylor added 11 to lead the Crusaders (6-11) of the NAIA.
North Carolina Central takes on The Apprentice School (Newport News, Va.) in the tournament championship game on Saturday.