HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (AP) Patrick Cole scored a career-high 32 points and also had 10 rebounds and eight assists to lead North Carolina Central over Northern Kentucky 82-74 on Saturday night.

Dajuan Graf added 16 points and Pablo Rivas 11 for the Eagles (3-2), who shot 50.8 percent to win their third consecutive game.

Drew McDonald scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds in posting his third double-double this season for the Norse (3-3). Lavone Holland II also scored 20 points.

NC Central shot out to a 42-29 halftime lead behind 15 points from Cole.

The Norse got as close as four in the second half and were within six, 77-71, before Graf hit a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left. Holland responded with a 3-pointer but Cole added a final free throw with 18 seconds remaining and Northern Kentucky's Jalen Tate missed a 3-pointer at the other end.

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