NC Central defeats NJIT 71-55.

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Jay Copeland scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in leading North Carolina Central over NJIT 71-55 on Thursday night.

Copeland’s second straight double-double, and third of his career, helped propel the Eagles (10-5) to their 15th consecutive home-court victory dating to March 3, 2011. Jordan Parks scored 14 points and Jeremy Ingram added 10 in the Eagles’ first meeting against the Highlanders (8-11).

The Eagles led the entire way, taking a 12-point halftime lead after leading by 17 at one point. Their largest lead of 28 points came with 4:29 left on Alfonzo Houston’s basket that made the score 70-42.

NC Central dominated the paint, where it outscored NJIT 40-10, and also took advantage of 22 Highlander turnovers, which it turned into 22 points.

Damon Lynn led the Highlanders with 19 points.