BALTIMORE – Landon Clement scored 25 points and C.J. Wilkerson added 23 as North Carolina Central defeated Coppin State 77-71 on Saturday.
A short jumper by Clement put the Eagles (7-8) ahead to stay with 9:08 remaining in a game that featured nine ties and 16 lead changes. Clement's basket, which made it 50-49, started an 11-2 run that left North Carolina Central ahead 59-51 with 7:13 to play.
North Carolina Central took its largest lead when Wilkerson hit three free throws to make it 67-57 with 2:37 left.
Coppin State (6-9) cut the lead to 69-64 when Akeem Ellis converted a three-point play with 53 seconds left, but North Carolina Central made eight consecutive free throws to clinch the victory.
Coppin State, which lost at home for just the second time this season, was led by Michael Harper's 16 points. Ceslovas Kucinskas added 13.
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