North Carolina Central Picks Up a Road Win at Coppin State

By: Ethan Hennessy

Baltimore Maryland

North Carolina Central brought energy from the onset of the game. They were pressuring the nation’s fourth leading scorer Sam Sessoms early and forcing him to give up the ball. On the offensive end they were passing the ball well and getting wide open looks. This led to a 14 point advantage for Central, but Coppin kept fighting cutting the lead down to two.

Sam Sessoms for the second straight game didn’t get on the scoreboard until well into the contest. On Saturday against South Carolina State it was nearly seventeen minutes. Tonight against NC Central Sessoms did not record a single point in the entire first half. The Philadelphia PA native did finally get on the board early in the second half when Juan Dixon drew up a set give and go slash into the lane for Sessoms at the 18:41 mark.

North Carolina Central looked to be just a step quicker and frankly hungrier all night long. A good example of that is when NCCU’s Eric Boone turned it over he sprinted to contest a Coppin layup even when North Carolina Central was up double digits.

Sam Sessoms scored a deep three and turnaround post shot on consecutive possessions forcing North Carolina Central to call a timeout at 6:15. Coppin State finally battled back to make it a three point game. After a few empty possessions on both ends Sessoms tied the game with another deep three pointer. North Carolina Central’s LeVelle Moton told me after the game he was telling his team “He’s a good player and he’s going to go on a run. He’s capable of that. Our job is to minimize his looks and make it as difficult on him as possible. He is going to make some, and make some oooh wee shots. When he does that don’t get disgruntled.” North Carolina Central did just enough shot-making and rebounding to edge out the win by a score of 64-59.

Next for Coppin State they continue their fur game homestand when they welcome their cross town rivals Morgan State to the PEC. North Carolina Central host South Carolina State next.