NC Central pull away from Winthrop 72-66

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Jeremy Ingram scored 24 points as North Carolina Central pulled away from Winthrop for the 72-66 win Wednesday night.

NC Central (7-2) closed the first half on a 12-5 run to go into the break with a 39-32 lead.

Winthrop (6-3) chipped away and eventually took the lead, 53-51, on an Andre Smith 3-pointer with 10:51 to play.

NCCU retook the lead on a Reggie Groves 3-pointer. Josh Davenport hit 1 of 2 free throws for Winthrop, and Ingram scored layups on back to back possessions, giving NCCU a 62-57 lead.

Winthrop would cut the lead back to two points twice, but NCCU answered both times.

Jordan Parks scored 18 points, and Groves finished with 12. Both players came off the bench.

Davenport finished with a career-high 15 to lead Winthrop. Keon Johnson scored 12 while Joab Jerome added 11.

NCCU earned a 28-12 advantage in free-throw attempts.