North Carolina Central University

MEN'S BASKETBALL

     DURHAM, NC - North Carolina Central University outscored Shaw University 47-22 in the second half en route to a 66-49 blowout win in the final game of the 2006 RTP Hilton Men's Basketball Classic at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium in Durham, N.C., on Saturday.
     NCCU (4-3, 1-2 CIAA) has won all four home games this season.
     The Eagles began the second half on fire as they used a 23-5 run in the first six minutes of the frame  to gain a 42-34 lead with 11:48 remaining in the contest. From there, NCCU led by as many as 23 points (66-43, 1:10) before coasting to a 17-point win, its second consecutive. 
     NCCU shot 19-of-32 from the field and 7-of-10 from three-point range in the second half, converting on 59.4 percent of its shots.
     Head coach Henry Dickerson's team was topped by senior center Jason Hervey, who recorded 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in 30 minutes of action to claim the Hilton RTP Classic M.V.P. award. Senior forward Drew Johnson contributed a team-high 19 points and added six rebounds to earn a spot on the All-Classic Team. Senior forward and Greenville, N.C. native Tory Harper had a season-high 10 points, while senior guard Chris Mayshack shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc for 12 points. 
     Shaw (1-6, 0-2 CIAA) was led by junior forward and All-Classic Team pick Damola Obadina with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. The only other Bear in double figures was sophomore guard John Kornegay, who accumulated 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
     In the first game of the evening, Cheyney University defeated Augusta State University 81-77 in overtime.
     The Cheyney Wolves received an All-Classic Team performance from Ed Braswell with a team-high 31 points, including a game-high six three-point field goals. Also in double figures for Cheyney was Dominique Curry, who scored 10 points and blocked four shots.
     Augusta State junior forward Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman amassed a tournament-high 33 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the field, while pulling down nine caroms and blocking two shots. Sophomore center Garret Siler had the only double-double of the day scoring 17 points and nabbing 15 rebounds.
     Bowman (ASU), Hervey (NCCU), Johnson (NCCU), Braswell (Cheyney) and Obadina (SU) were named to the All-Classic Team, with Hervey being named MVP of the 2006 Hilton RTP Men's Basketball Classic.
     The senior center from Arlington, Texas averaged 20.5 points per game, six rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in two contests during the weekend classic.