Cole, Rivas lead NC Central over Western Carolina 67-59

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Cole and Pablo Rivas scored 18 points apiece to lead North Carolina Central to a 67-59 victory over Western Carolina on Wednesday night.

Cole was 7 of 16 from the floor. Rivas did not miss a shot, finishing 7 of 7 from the field with two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws. Dajuan Graf added 14 points and Kyle Benton had 11 for the Eagles (1-2), who shot 48 percent from the floor.

Marc Gosselin had 13 points for Western Carolina (1-2). Deriece Parks added 12 points, and Devin Peterson and Haboubacar Mutombo had 10 apiece.

The Catamounts had a 45-43 halftime lead, but NC Central opened the second half on an 8-0 run and led the rest of the way. Western Carolina pulled to 62-58 with 49 seconds left, but did not get closer.