Po'Boigh King leads North Carolina Central to dramatic win over Gardner-Webb

In Morgantown, West Virginia, the North Carolina Central Eagles faced the West Virginia Mountaineers on a notable Tuesday evening, December 10, 2024. The Eagles, holding a record of 4 wins and 7 losses, were aiming to improve their performance against a formidable opponent after a hard-fought victory against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs earlier in December where Po'Boigh King led the scoring with 28 points, contributing significantly to a narrow 78-77 win. This victory marked a crucial moment for the Eagles as they sought to establish some momentum in the season amidst challenges on the road with a 1-4 record. In contrast, the Mountaineers boasted a strong home record of 4-0 and were positioned at 6 wins and 2 losses. The team entered the matchup high on confidence as they had just secured their first win in the Big 12 conference. The Eagles were determined to disrupt the Mountaineers' strong home performance and overcome their 1-6 record against opponents exceeding .500. West Virginia’s defensive strategy had been particularly effective, allowing an average of only 68.8 points per game while maintaining a low opponent shooting percentage of 38.9%. This placed them ninth in the Big 12 in limiting opponent scoring. On the offensive side, the Mountaineers were averaging 77.8 points per game, revealing their superior scoring ability and demonstrating their offensive threats, including Tucker DeVries who averaged 3.3 three-pointers per game. While North Carolina Central shot 44.7% from the field during the season, it raised questions about their ability to effectively penetrate West Virginia’s defense. The matchup held significant implications for both teams— while North Carolina Central was striving to boost their underwhelming season record, the Mountaineers sought to solidify their standing in the Big 12 and maintain their home court dominance. In a game featuring strong offensive play from both teams, the Eagles were hoping that Po'Boigh King's recent performance would spark further successes, although they faced a tough road ahead against a disciplined West Virginia squad. As the game unfolded, much like the competitive spirit seen across collegiate basketball, it promised to be an engaging contest worth watching closely.