DOVER, Del. (AP) Patrick Cole drilled five from long distance to total 28 points as North Carolina Central jumped out to an early lead and coasted to an 82-74 win over Delaware State on Monday night.

Cole was 7 of 12 from the floor and made all nine free throws. Kyle Benton and Dajuan Graff added 12 points apiece and Rashuan Madison chipped in 10 for North Carolina Central (15-6, 6-1 MEAC), which has won six straight after dropping a game to the Hornets 69-68 on Jan. 10.

NCCU scored 28 points in the paint while limiting the Hornets to 20 points.

The Eagles sprinted to an early lead and were up 38-21 at the break as Delaware State could not close the gap in the second half. NCCU led 78-64 with 2:04 remaining.

Devin Morgan had 24 points to lead the Hornets (5-18, 2-6), who have not won since beating NCCU, losing six straight.

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