Jibri Blount powers NC Central to MEAC win over Delaware State
North Carolina Central senior Jibri Blount scored the first six points of the game and outscored Delaware State by himself to that point.
That should have been a sign of things to come for the Eagles. The forward from Pittsburgh tied his career high with 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 72-45 win over the Hornets. It was the third time this season Blount has scored 30 points or more and the fourth time in his career.
“Jibri is carrying the load,” NCCU head coach LeVelle Moton said. “He’s a grown man. He’s just receiving the benefits of his hard work. There’s not a kid that works harder on a day-to-day basis.”
Blount is making a serious case for MEAC Player of the Year. He came into the game second in the league in scoring (19.4), third in rebounding (9.1) and third in field goal percentage (52.7). He shot 73.3 percent from the floor against Delaware State, starting the game with three easy buckets around the basket, helping the Eagles take an early 6-0 lead. Blount said he was just sticking to the game plan, but for most of the first half he looked like the game plan.
“Coach Moton just tells me a lot about moving without the ball,” Blount said. “Now that I’ve scored a couple of points I’m at the top of scouting reports so he just tells me to make sure I’m moving without the ball, getting out in transition so I can finish and my teammates were able to find me tonight.”
At one point in the first half Blount was an efficient 4-for-7 from the field while the rest of his teammates were 1-for-14. They would get it together, helping the team take and maintain a double-digit lead in the second half.
Evan Clayborne came off the bench to score 12 points and Deven Palmer added 11 for the Eagles, who were playing at home for just the sixth time this season. Ameer Bennett led the Hornets with 13 points, while John Crosby finished with 11. NCCU held DSU to a season-low 45 points. The Hornets shot 27.9 percent from the field.
“I was pleased with our defensive effort,” Moton said. “We’re holding teams to under 30 (percent), so anytime you’re holding teams to that field goal percentage you’re going to give your team an opportunity to win basketball games.”
Blount is also giving the Eagles plenty of chances to win. The coach is holding Blount to the same standard he’s held some of his former players like Pat Cole and Jeremy Ingram, guys who were MEAC Player of the Year caliber players. Blount could be in the running to bring home a POY trophy.
“I’m going to get him to as close to that as I can,” Moton said. “I honestly believe he’s the best player in this conference.”
AND ONE
Saturday was just the second home game this month for the Eagles, who played five on the road. NCCU improves to 6-0 at McDougald-McLendon Arena this season.
PERSONAL FOUL
Moton received a technical foul in the second half for questioning a call with one of the officials.
ICYMI
This was a revenge game for NCCU. The Eagles played at Delaware State on Jan. 11 and fell to the Hornets, 68-66.
MAKING SENSE OF THE NUMBERS
5: Number of assists by point guard Jordan Perkins. The Greensboro native came into the game No. 3 all-time on the NCCU assists records list. He now needs three more to take over Michael Wright in second place.
181: Number of wins at NCCU for Moton. That places the former Eagle at No. 3 on the all-time list.
15: Number of times in his career that Blount has led NCCU in scoring. Thirteen of those have come this season.
10: Number of consecutive home wins for the Eagles.
This story was originally published January 25, 2020 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Jibri Blount powers NC Central to MEAC win over Delaware State."
