North Carolina Central University

MEN'S BASKETBALL

(Nov. 21, 1998)
 
1998 FIRST UNION HARVEST CLASSIC

NCCU Defeats Albany State in Consolation Game
Georgia College Drops St. Augustine's to Win Harvest Classic Championship

    DURHAM, NC -- North Carolina Central University guard MarQus Johnson netted a team-high 24 points to pace the Eagles past Albany State, 99-90, in the consolation game of the First Union Harvest Classic at NCCU's McLendon-McDougald Gym.
    NCCU (1-1) opened up a 55-33 lead at halftime, but the Golden Rams outscored the Eagles 57-44 in the second half to narrow the gap.  Clutch 10-for-11 shooting from the free-throw line by Johnson, who earned All-Tournament Team honors, sealed the victory for the Eagles.  Joseph Ellis contributed 18 points on 7-for-8 shooting for NCCU.
    Albany State (0-3) was led by All-Tournament Team selection Willie Hunt with a game-high 30 points, 11 rebounds and 6 steals.
    In the championship game, Georgia College & State University defeated Saint Augustine's, 62-54, to claim the First Union Harvest Classic title.  GCSU (4-0) was topped by Tournament M.V.P. Earl Grant with a team-best 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.  Bobcat center Julius Joseph contributed 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals to earn All-Tournament Team honors.
    St. Augustine's (2-2) was paced by Julian Pitt with 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Marty Dickerson added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.  Both Pitt and Dickerson were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Friday, November 20, 1998
St. Augustine's 87, Albany State 78
Georgia College 91, N.C. Central 77

Saturday, November 21, 1998
N.C. Central 99, Albany State 90  (Consolation)
Georgia College 62, St. Augustine's 54  (Championship)

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Willie Hunt, Albany State
MarQus Johnson, N.C. Central
Marty Dickerson, St. Augustine's
Julian Pitt, St. Augustine's
Julius Joseph, Georgia College
Earl Grant, Georgia College (M.V.P.)

Last Revised:  November 20, 1998