Fayetteville State's Bryan Chapman goes up for a lay-up in last night's Western Division match-up against N.C. Central. (Photo: Rashaun Rucker/Echo Photo Editor)

Going into last night’s match-up with Fayetteville State, N.C. Central didn’t know they would have to play the Broncos without leading scorer and team captain Shawn Ray, who did not play due a stomach virus.

They also didn’t know they would be in the same situation they were in last Saturday against Winston-Salem, when they were up by 28 in the second half, then ended up going into overtime at 84-84.

But as deep with talent as the Eagles are, head coach Phil Spence said knew they could win.

They did, in another nail-biter: The final score was 69-68.

“I always tell the guys, we bend but never break,” Spence said.

The Eagles didn’t break, but the Broncos bent them as far as they could.

“With Shawn out, there was no ‘go-to’ player,’ said Spence. “There was a ‘go-to’ team.”

Curtis Knight knew he had to step and lead the team.

“That’s a role I look forward to,” he said. “Without your superstar player, somebody’s got to.”

The first half was a rollercoaster, both teams exchanging baskets.

Curtis Knight picked up the load for the Eagles, amassing 14 first half points including three three-point baskets.

FSU had a three-point lead with under 10 seconds remaining until a Charles Nickens three-point buzzer-beater tied the game at 30 going into halftime.

N.C. Central started to pull away mid-way through the second half as the bench players started to play well.

James Tucker, Jermond Debro, and Nickens all came up with big plays down the stretch.

Tucker and Nickens made several big three-point baskets and Debro played well on the baseline, grabbing rebounds and getting several put-backs.

But Fayetteville State would not go away. The play of Bryan Chapman kept them in it. NCCU led 62-49 when Debro picked up his fourth foul with five minutes left in regulation.

Then Darrelle Robinson hit a three-pointer for the Broncos to cut the lead to 62-52. After one free-throw by both teams, Spence called a timeout with the Eagles up ten with 3:57 left.

FSU answered with a three by David Pierce to cut the lead to seven. The Eagles then turned the ball over on a shot clock violation.

Turnovers killed the Eagles down the stretch when FSU applied a full court pressure defense that swarmed the Eagles.

Spence said they were used to a press, but they just got rattled a little. “We have seen a press before,” he said. “But we were just unfortunate to turn the ball over.”

On their next possession after the shot clock violation, NCCU failed to get a shot off again, which led to a Chapman lay-up.

The ten—point lead was cut in half, 63-58 with 2:07 left. NCCU turned the ball over again as point guard Michael Noel lost it at the top of the circle, which resulted in a jump ball that went to the Broncos.

The Eagles were up four after an Alex Smith lay-up with 39 seconds left. The Broncos quickly responded with another Robinson three-pointer to make the lead 67-66.

Then Noel turned the ball over again and Chapman scored to put FSU up 68-67, their first lead since the first half when NCCU took the lead on the Nickens three before halftime.

After the Chapman score, Noel went to the foul line to shoot the bonus and made both to put the Eagles up 69-68.

The Broncos had a chance to win the game on the final play, but Pierce lost the ball and both teams fell on it.

Jump ball was called and the possession arrow was to NCCU.

Noel had a chance to ice the game wit 4 seconds left but missed both free throws. But Adrian Warren grabbed the rebound and threw it to Knight and the game was over.

Knight led the Eagles with 19 points and Debro added 18 off the bench.