ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Apprentice got 18 points from Donovan Means and 32 points from its bench to hand Mid-Atlantic Christian its first conference loss 74-66 Wednesday night.

The Builders (14-4 overall, 5-1 NSAC) trailed for most of the first half but stayed within striking distance and evened it up at halftime 35-35. The defending conference and USCAA champions then used the decisive second half to take the lead for good and pull away for the final score.

MACU (11-10, 4-1) was led by Keith Shakes, Jr. with 22 points.

“Apprentice was the better team down the stretch,” Mustangs coach Charles Sims said after the game. “There were times in the game where we played our game and then times where we didn’t execute on both ends of the floor. Too many unforced turnovers and our shot selection during pivotal time of the game hindered our performance.”

The win propels Apprentice into third place and drops MACU to fourth. The two teams will face each other again next Monday, February 17, in Newport News, Virginia.

John Melvin (FL) and Lighthouse are now tied for first with 10-1 conference marks. They will play each other February 20 and 24 before heading to the conference tournament March 27.

Image courtesy Doug Carter/MACU Athletics