One battle does not define a war, but 0-4 defines the N.C. Central University men’s basketball team’s start for 2008.

The Eagles should make ending their current 16-game losing streak a resolution for the new year.

Last Wednesday, the Eagles played their best defensive game of the season thus far during a 54-29 loss to N.C. State University in Raleigh’s RBC Center.

The Eagles managed to force the Wolfpack to shoot just 37 percent from the floor.

Unfortunately, NCCU could not take advantage of missed opportunities, converting only 20 percent from the floor.

N.C. State’s free-throw and perimeter percentages were key factors in the victory.

The Wolfpack went 4 of 21 from behind the arc, while NCCU made 1 of 14 attempts. NCSU also converted 18 of 23 attempts from the foul line.

Last Wednesday’s game was NCSU’s final tune-up game before ACC conference play began last week.

“I felt like our defense was really good, but we still have a few things to work out on offense,” said Wolfpack forward Brandon Costner.

“NCCU played good defense, but a lot of it was our fault for not making the right reads and probably taking too much time or predetermining what we were going to do with the ball,” Costner said.

Costner led all scorers with 18 points, including three of six from the arc.

J. J. Hickson added 13 points for the Wolfpack.

Eagle forward Charles Futrell led NCCU with eight points and seven rebounds. Forward Joshua Worthy also chimed in 4 points and nine rebounds for the Eagles.

Eagles head coach Henry Dickerson was not pleased with his team’s performance against yet another ACC powerhouse.

“Another ACC team, another athletic team — their length just killed us,” said Dickerson.

“You cannot simulate that in practice — strength, size and speed.

“Our guys just got worn down after a while,” he said. NCCU is currently 0-3 against ACC opponents this season.

The Eagles lost 121-56 to Duke University in the season opener in November.

NCCU also traveled to Winston-Salem to lose to Wake Forest 75-58 Nov. 19.

NC State out-rebounded the Eagles 42 to 39.

NC State also turned the ball over 15 times.

N.C. State head coach Sidney Lowe praised the Eagles’ performance against the Wolfpack in their first Division I season.

“NCCU came out with a great zone defense and tried to make us take jump shots,” said Lowe.

Some Eagle players had mixed feelings about their performance.

“I think we played good defense, but we’re disappointed with the way we shot,” said Futrell.

“If we had shot well, we would have had a chance to beat a big-time ACC school,” he said.

“But we haven’t been shooting well in practice, and most of the time, you play the way you practice.”

However, other players blame poor team effort. “I just think we weren’t mentally prepared,” said Worthy.

“We had a lack of focus, and we didn’t shoot well at all.”

The Eagles will return home to host Coppin State tonight at 7:30 p.m.