Punching Their Ticket! Parson’s Buzzer-Beater Sends NCCU To MEAC Semifinals

NORFOLK, Va. – March Madness is alive and well! In a heart-stopping finish, redshirt senior Isaac Parson delivered a dramatic buzzer-beater, lifting No. 6 NC Central past No. 3 Delaware State 79-77 in Thursday night’s MEAC Basketball Tournament quarterfinals.

With just 7.7 seconds left, the Eagles found themselves tied after a clutch Martaz Robinson three-pointer for the Hornets. But Parson wasn’t about to let this one slip away. Taking the inbound pass, he blazed down the court, weaved through defenders, and launched a shot off the glass. The ball danced on the rim three times before finally dropping in as the final horn blared—sending NCCU fans into a frenzy!

“We lost to them at the buzzer at their place,” said head coach LeVelle Moton. “I can go on and on with teams that we lost to at the buzzer. But tonight, the tide turned.”

Stars Shine Bright for The Eagles

The one-two punch of Perry Smith Jr. and Po’Boigh King led the charge for NCCU, combining for an explosive 43 points:

• Smith Jr.: 22 points, 7-of-9 from the field, and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
• King: 21 points, shooting 60%, including four clutch three-pointers.

Meanwhile, Delaware State leaned on Muneer Newton, who dominated inside with a game-high 27 points, as the Hornets outscored NCCU 50-36 in the paint. But the Eagles countered by draining eight three-pointers, compared to just three for DSU.

A Game of Runs & High Stakes

The contest featured nine ties and four lead changes, with NCCU’s largest lead at 10 points midway through the second half.

Despite a late surge by the Hornets, the Eagles remained poised. Parson’s buzzer-beater sealed NCCU’s first win away from McDougald-McLendon Arena since December 14.

What’s Next?

With the win, NC Central (14-18) advances to the MEAC Semifinals, where they’ll clash with No. 2 South Carolina State on Friday at 8 PM in Scope Arena. The teams split their regular-season series, setting the stage for an epic showdown.

Can the Eagles ride this momentum all the way to the championship? One thing’s for sure—don’t blink!

For more MEAC Basketball Tournament information, visit MEACHoops.com.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.

Feature Photo Credit: MEAC

Photos of King and Smith: NCCU Athletics