LEIPSIC, Del. (Interstat) — A dominant second-half performance fueled by stifling defense and efficient offense propelled North Carolina Central to a 74-60 victory over Delaware State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Memorial Hall.

The Eagles, who trailed by six at halftime, outscored the Hornets 47-27 after the break, holding Delaware State to a frigid 34.5% shooting performance in the second period while forcing 10 turnovers. The turnaround secured a regular-season series sweep for North Carolina Central, which had defeated Delaware State 72-63 just over two weeks earlier.

The game’s pivotal stretch came early in the second half. After Delaware State’s Rahmir Moore hit a pair of free throws to extend the Hornets’ lead to 34-27, North Carolina Central unleashed a decisive 17-1 run over the next five minutes. The surge transformed a seven-point deficit into a 44-35 lead from which the Hornets never recovered.

The Eagles’ defense was the catalyst, generating four steals and two blocks during the run while forcing Delaware State into five turnovers and 1-for-7 shooting. Offensively, the Eagles found their rhythm, hitting three 3-pointers during the stretch, including two from guard Tekao Carpenter. Kelechi Okworogwo capped the run with a tip-in, part of his impactful all-around performance.

Okworogwo, a 6-foot-6 forward from the Bronx, New York, was instrumental in the victory, finishing with 15 points, three blocks and three steals in 38 minutes. His defensive presence in the paint altered numerous shots and helped limit Delaware State’s interior scoring.

North Carolina Central’s backcourt provided balanced scoring. Kyric Davis added 15 points, while Dionte Johnson and Carpenter each chipped in 14. Gage Lattimore contributed 12 points. The Eagles shot a scorching 55.6% from 3-point range, making 10 of 18 attempts, and were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 12 of 13.

Delaware State was led by Rahmir Moore’s game-high 20 points. Ponce James added 14 points and five assists, but also committed seven of the Hornets’ 16 total turnovers. The Hornets managed only four assists as a team, a testament to the Eagles’ disruptive defense, which recorded 10 steals.

The first half belonged to Delaware State, which built its lead behind Moore’s 13 points. The Hornets led 33-27 at intermission despite committing nine turnovers, as North Carolina Central struggled with its own offensive consistency, shooting just 37% from the field before the break.

The second-half reversal was stark. North Carolina Central’s offensive rating of 123.0 on 60 possessions dwarfed Delaware State’s mark of 91.1 on 66 possessions, highlighting the Eagles’ superior efficiency. The Eagles also committed only eight turnovers, half of Delaware State’s total.

With the win, North Carolina Central improved to 11-16 overall. Delaware State fell to 6-20. The game drew an announced crowd of 426 to Memorial Hall.

North Carolina Central next travels to face Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday. Delaware State is scheduled to host South Carolina State, also on Monday.