jmccann@heraldsun.com
DURHAM — A three-game road swing for N.C. Central started well in the nation’s capital but ended badly in the Charm City.
Now the Eagles return home today looking to take advantage of the comforts of McDougald-McLendon Gym against Delaware State (4 p.m., nccueaglepride.com).
Against Howard on Jan. 16 in Washington, D.C., NCCU guard Jeremy Ingram scored 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out three assists, all career highs.
Ingram has the skills to bring that kind of potency to the court every night but needs to become more consistent with his game, NCCU coach LeVelle Moton said.
For example, Ingram was scoreless when he fouled out during a 77-57 loss to Coppin State in Baltimore on Jan. 21, though he had three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 17 minutes.
At Morgan State on Monday, Ingram scored four points in the Eagles’ 71-64 setback. It wasn’t just his lack of offensive production that hurt NCCU.
The Eagles shot 56.52 percent from the field in the first half against Morgan State but returned for the final 20 minutes and shot 26.67 percent. Morgan State shot 47.62 percent in the first half and won the game by shooting 42.86 percent in the second half.
Delaware State (5-11, 2-3 MEAC) is not among the top teams in the conference, but Moton has emphasized that there are no easy nights in this league.
The return of point guard Justin Leemow adds a wrinkle to the Eagles’ lineup.
In November, Leemow was averaging 9.3 points and two assists as the starting point guard before being dismissed from the team after Durham police officers arrested him on drug charges involving marijuana possession.
The matter has been dealt with in court, and Moton announced on Thursday that Leemow was back on the team and will be in uniform for today’s game though a decision had not been made about whether he will play.
Leemow wasn’t allowed to practice with the Eagles while suspended but attended some home games to watch from the stands.
He may have worked out on his own during the suspension but likely hasn’t gotten the full-speed practice he would need if Moton puts him in the game. But Leemow is a senior and should know what to expect from MEAC competition.
Emanuel “Poobie” Chapman, who became the starting point guard in Leemow’s absence, has been a good assist man though not scoring much.
NCCU hasn’t released an update on the status of senior sharpshooter Landon Clement, who missed most of December because of a foot infection. According to Moton, Clement was expected to return to the lineup several weeks ago but did not.
The return of Clement and Leemow represent potential firepower NCCU (9-10, 3-3) could use right now. Carrying the offensive load for NCCU has been senior Dominique Sutton, who is averaging 15.6 points per game on dunks and other strong moves in the paint. Guards Ray Willis and Ebuka Anyaorah are contributing 14.5 and 10.4 points each time out, respectively.
