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RALEIGH, N.C. — Curtis Knight scored 15 points while Dekendric Perry added 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead North Carolina Central by Virginia State 62-55 in the opening round of the CIAA tournament Wednesday.
Virginia State (6-20) led 35-32 at halftime behind Lavar Griffin, who scored 10 of his game-high 19 points in the first 20 minutes. Virginia State held the lead until Knight hit a 3-pointer for North Carolina Central with 9:06 left in the game that made the score 44-43.
North Carolina Central (9-17) dominated the rebounding 47-28, including 21 on the offensive end. The Eagles built their biggest lead of 10 points twice in the final minute at the free-throw line, where they made 5-of-8.
North Carolina Central next will play Shaw in the quarterfinals.
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