DURHAM, N.C. — Delaware State’s bid for its first winning football season in eight years ended in a frustrating 34-28 overtime loss to MEAC rival North Carolina Central in the season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon.

Latrell Scott scored the game-winning points on a 16-yard pass from Davius Richard in the Eagles’ lone overtime possession.

In addition to preventing the Hornets (2-3 MEAC, 5-6 overall) from a winning season, the loss overshadowed sparkling performances by Delaware State quarterback Jared Lewis and wide receiver Trey Gross, who was playing his final game for DSU.

The pair connected on four touchdowns, capped off by a 16-yard pass with 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to cap off a 17-play, 66-yard, five-minute-21 second drive to pull the Hornets to within 28-27. The extra point kick by Matt Noll tied the score and forced the overtime.

Delaware State had the first overtime possession, but Noll’s 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked, keeping the score at 28-28.

Lewis and Gross hooked up for their first touchdown on a 15-yard pass to tie the score at 7-7 less the six minutes into the game. NC Central (4-1 MEAC, 6-5 overall) scored first after blocking a DSU punt with 9:44 to go in the opening quarter.

The Eagles led 14-7 when Lewis and Gross struck for back-to-back scoring passes in the third quarter to give the Hornets the lead for the first time in the game.

Their 21-yard connection tied the game at 14-14 with 12:41 to in the third quarter. On DSU’s next possession, the pair hit paydirt from 37 yards out to give the Hornets a 21-14 lead after the extra point at the 5:37 mark of the third quarter.

NC Central responded with back-to-back touchdowns on their first two possessions of the fourth quarter to open up a 28-21 lead.

Lewis completed 20-of-34 passes for 202 yards and the four touchdowns, while Gross had a career-high 12 receptions for a season-best 142 yards and the four scores.

Gross’ numbers for the season include 48 catches for 625 yards and a MEAC-high 13 touchdowns, tying for third in team history. Darnerian McCants holds the team record for touchdown receptions in a season with 18 in 2000.

Gross completed his DSU career as No. 3 in team history with 29 touchdowns, No. 5 in receptions with 146 and sixth in receiving yards with 2,120.

Lewis passed for more than 200 yards in three of the last four games, while throwing four touchdown passes for the third time this season.

Extra points

Delaware State’s 5-6 overall record gave the Hornets their most wins since 2013 … Kwannah Kollie had a season-long 77-yard kickoff return in the game … Sy’Veon Wilkerson rushed for a team-high 848 yards for the Hornets this season, second-most by a Hornet freshman … Maurio Goings recorded a career-high 10 tackles (four solo) to lead the Hornets, while Jawain Granger collected his third interception of the season in the game.