Savannah, Ga. The N.C. Central Eagles lost their first MEAC conference game of the season, losing Saturday night in men’s college basketball to Savannah State 44-36.

Guard Jeremy Ingram scored nearly half of the points for the Eagles (17-8, 10-1 MEAC) with 15. Jay Copeland Jr. and Ray Willis each scored six points in the loss. Copeland also had three of the team’s four blocked shots and added seven rebounds.

Deven Williams came off the bench to lead Savannah State with 12 points. Preston Blackman scored seven and added four assists for the Tigers (15-10, 9-2 MEAC), and Arnold Louis added five points.

The Eagles, who lost for the first time since Dec. 29 against Marquette, next take the court at S.C. State Monday night.

Earlier Saturday, the Eagles’ women’s basketball team won its first game of the season, beating Savannah State 43-38.

Savannah St. 44, NC Central 36

  NC Central (17-8|10-1 MEAC): Copeland 2-5 2-4 6, Kidd 2-4 0-0 5, Ingram 4-11 6-6 15, Chapman 1-4 0-0 2, Willis 2-11 1-4 6, Ferguson 0-1 0-0 0, Galaya 0-0 0-0 0, Williams 1-2 0-0 2, Houston 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 12-39 9-14 36.

  Savannah St. (15-10|9-2 MEAC): Blackman 3-9 0-0 7, White 0-2 0-1 0, C. Smith 0-4 1-2 1, Spears 1-2 0-0 2, Louis 2-2 1-2 5, Burger 0-1 0-0 0, Hutchins 0-1 0-0 0, Hendley 1-1 0-0 2, Wilson 1-4 0-0 3, Williams 5-12 0-0 12, Hassan 4-6 1-2 9, J. Smith 1-1 1-3 3. Totals 18-45 4-10 44.

  Halftime—Savannah St. 24-16. 3-Point Goals—NC Central 3-7 (Willis 1-1, Kidd 1-1, Ingram 1-5), Savannah St. 4-16 (Williams 2-6, Wilson 1-2, Blackman 1-5, Hutchins 0-1, Burger 0-1, White 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—NC Central 26 (Copeland 7), Savannah St. 31 (Hassan 11). Assists—NC Central 8 (Ferguson 4), Savannah St. 10 (Blackman 4). Total Fouls—NC Central 14, Savannah St. 15. A—2,444.