PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (Interstat) — Gage Lattimore scored 23 points and North Carolina Central rallied from a 15-point first-half deficit to edge Maryland-Eastern Shore 77-73 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night.

The Eagles, who trailed by as many as 15 in the opening period, outscored the Hawks 54-43 after halftime to complete the season sweep. North Carolina Central also won 65-63 in Durham on Feb. 2.

Lattimore, a 6-foot-2 guard from Greensboro, North Carolina, added six assists, a block and a steal in 36 minutes. His clutch free-throw shooting in the final minute sealed the victory for the Eagles, who improved to 12-16 overall and 7-6 in MEAC play.

Maryland-Eastern Shore, which led 30-23 at halftime, fell to 9-21 and 5-8. Zion Obanla led the Hawks with 18 points, three assists and two blocks. Michael Teal added 15 points and five assists.

The game’s pivotal stretch came early in the second half. After a sluggish first 20 minutes where they shot poorly and committed 10 turnovers, the Eagles emerged from the locker room with renewed purpose. They quickly chipped away at the deficit, using a 12-2 run over a four-minute span to tie the game at 35. The surge was fueled by defensive pressure, which forced several Hawks turnovers leading to transition opportunities.

North Carolina Central took its first lead since the game’s opening minute when Dionte Johnson, who finished with 15 points, hit a 3-pointer with 13:59 remaining to make it 40-39. From there, the teams traded blows in a tense, back-and-forth contest that featured eight lead changes and six ties in the second half alone.

The Hawks briefly regained a five-point advantage at 51-46 after a Maurice Vassel dunk with 9:41 to play, but the Eagles responded with a critical 9-0 run. Lattimore was the catalyst, hitting a deep 3-pointer, converting a three-point play and then finding Kelechi Okworogwo for an alley-oop dunk that put North Carolina Central ahead 55-51 with 5:13 left.

Maryland-Eastern Shore refused to fold. Trailing 66-61 with under two minutes to play, the Hawks got a 3-pointer from Joseph Locandro and a driving layup from Teal to tie the game at 66 with 1:05 remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Lattimore was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to put the Eagles back up by two. After a stop, Johnson was fouled and made both of his attempts with 47 seconds left for a 70-66 lead.

The Hawks again closed the gap to two on a Teal 3-pointer with 19 seconds left, but Lattimore was fouled immediately and made both free throws. Following an administrative technical foul assessed to the Hawks’ bench, Lattimore made one of two additional free throws for a 73-69 lead with 18 seconds remaining.

Obanla made two free throws to cut it to 73-71, but Lattimore was fouled again and made both with 15 seconds left. Teal’s layup at the other end made it 75-73 with two seconds left, but Lattimore iced the game with two final free throws.

Kyric Davis contributed 14 points for North Carolina Central, while Okworogwo added 12. For Maryland-Eastern Shore, Locandro scored 10 points and Dorion Staples had 11 points and three assists.

The Hawks controlled the first half, building a 27-12 lead with 6:08 remaining after a Staples 3-pointer. North Carolina Central closed the half on an 11-3 run to stay within striking distance.

The game was played at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center before an announced crowd of 888.

North Carolina Central hosts South Carolina State on Thursday. Maryland-Eastern Shore is scheduled to host Delaware State on Thursday.