Ray Willis had 20 points and nine rebounds as North Carolina Central held off Southern 59-55 Thursday at the Global Sports Hoops Showcase.
Willis made just 4 of 15 field-goal attempts but was 12 for 12 from the free-throw line for the Eagles (2-2). Stanton Kidd added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Malcolm Miller led Southern (1-3) with 17 points. Javan Mitchell added 14 points and Derick Beltran had 10 points and nine rebounds.
NC Central missed all four of its 3-point attempts and shot just 32 percent overall, but converted 25 of 31 free throws.
The Eagles led 57-49 with 1:14 remaining before a jumper by Jameel Grace and two buckets by Beltran brought the Jaguars within 57-55 with 22 seconds left. Willis then hit two free throws for NC Central and came up with a steal to put the game out of reach.
