North Carolina Central University

MEN'S BASKETBALL

     DURHAM, NC - North Carolina Central University outlasted an undefeated Augusta State University team 77-76 in overtime on day one of the 2006 RTP Hilton Men's Basketball Classic at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium in Durham, N.C.
     NCCU (3-3), who has won three straight non-conference home games this season, led 66-63 with 19 seconds remaining in the contest.
     ASU guard Ben Madgen dribbled off a screen set by Jaguars forward Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman and nailed a three-point field goal with only 12 seconds left in the second half.
     Eagles sophomore point guard Bryan Ayala was unable to duplicate his heroics against Barton College, as he missed a desperation field goal as time expired, sending the game into an extra session.
     During the overtime period, both teams traded baskets until NCCU was able to grab a four-point lead, 75-71, 1:19 before the final buzzer. After a three-point field goal by ASU guard Daniel Dixon and two missed free-throws by Ayala, Dixon and the Jaguars had the ball with a chance to win the game on its final possession.
     Dixon sped up the left sideline trying to get closer to the basket for a shot to win the game, however NCCU senior guard Steve Randolph deflected the ball out of bounds with only 0.3 seconds left in the game. A final attempt by ASU to get the ball in-bounds was tipped away by Eagles senior guard Drew Johnson, ending the game and preserving NCCU's 77-76 win, in a game that featured 13 ties and 20 lead changes.
     Head coach Henry Dickerson's team was led by senior center Jason Hervey, who recorded a team-high 25 points and added four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 35 minutes of action.  Senior guard Chris Mayshack continued his torrid shooting inside of familiar territory as he converted on 5-of-6 field goal attempts from beyond the arc, finishing with 16 points, three rebounds and two steals. Ayala (11 points) and Johnson (10 points) were the other Eagles in double figures.
     ASU (4-1) was led by Madgen, who amassed a game-high 28 points, and Bowman, who recorded 25 points, six rebounds and five steals.
     In the first game of the day, the Cheyney University Wolves defeated the Shaw University Bears 72-45.
     Cheyney (1-4) had four players in double figures and was topped by guard Ed Braswell, who had a game-high 16 points. Center Gordon Kuvach contributed 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while forward Dominique Curry tallied 13 points and five rebounds.
     Shaw (1-5), who shot just 29.1 percent from the field and only scored 20 points in the second half, were paced by forward Damola Obadina with 13 points and nine rebounds. The only other SU player in double figures was forward John Kornegay (12 points).
   The 2006 Hilton RTP Men's Basketball Classic continues on Saturday with a triple-header, beginning at 4 p.m. as Cheyney takes on ASU. At 6 p.m. the NCCU Lady Eagles will face the Lady Bears of Shaw University. Finally, to finish the day, NCCU will face Shaw in men's basketball, the tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.