Miller leads balanced NC Central to 7th in Emerald Coast

NICEVILLE, Fla. (AP) Randy Miller scored 22 points, and three others added 15 each as North Carolina Central broke away early and defeated Southern 83-71 in the seventh-place game of the Emerald Coast Classic on Saturday.

Miller scored 13 in the first half as NC Central used an 11-0 burst to scoot away from Southern and led 39-31 at the break.

The Eagles (2-5) shot 65 percent from the floor after halftime, making 15 of 23 shots. Miller shot 6 of 11 with three 3-pointers, converted 7 of 10 at the foul line and led with five assists. Larry McKnight, Rashann London and Raasean Davis each scored 15 with London shooting 6 of 7.

Jayden Saddler paced Southern with 18 points, Sidney Umude added 17 with 10 rebounds and Eddie Reese scored 14.

London scored on a drive six seconds into the second half and NC Central put together a 15-4 run in the first five minutes. Southern didn't get closer than nine after that.