NEWPORT NEWS, VA – In a game reminiscent of its conference opener just four nights ago, Apprentice held off a New South opponent with upset on its mind for a close win, this time an 87-80 win over visiting Central International.

The Builders (2-1 overall, 2-0 NSAC) pushed out to lead by as many as 12 in the first half, only to have the Cardinals launch into a 9-2 run going into intermission trailing 40-34. The Redbirds also manufactured an 11-0 outburst early in the second half to take their first lead of the game, 52-51, and exchanged the lead with AS several times until the final two minutes. CIC (0-1, 0-1) would pull within one at 81-80 with 1:43 left, but the Builders would score the last six points of the game to seal the deal.

Apprentice defeated Blue Lights on Tuesday in the opener for both schools, 80-73.

This was the season opener for CIC.

Central All-Conference guard Ty Rias scored 23 points to lead all scorers while Apprentice’s Shawn Eley recorded a double-double (21 points, 15 rebounds).