Ray Willis scored 15 points as North Carolina Central rebounded from one of the worst offensive performances in program history to beat Utah Valley 70-52 Tuesday in a nonconference affair.
The Eagles (4-4) scored more points in the first half Tuesday (40) than they did the entire game in a 38-36 loss to Wagner last Saturday. The team shot just 22.6 percent (12 of 53) in that loss, but managed 56.8 percent (25 of 44) Tuesday.
Willis led the charge on 6-of-11 shooting, while Stanton Kidd (14 points) and Jay Copeland Jr. (11 points) also scored in double figures. Emanuel Chapman finished with nine assists, one short of a season high.
The Eagles opened on a 13-3 run that included consecutive 3-point makes by Jeremy Ingram, Chapman and then Chapman again. Utah Valley (3-5) limped into halftime down 40-18.
Ben Aird led the Wolverines with 12 points and nine rebounds.
