PEMBROKE — The University of North Carolina at Pembroke extended NCAA Division-II’s longest active winning streak Saturday with a 37-0 victory over St. Paul’s College.

The Braves have won nine straight games and the win over the Tigers was UNCP’s second consecutive triumph over a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association opponent.

“Give St. Paul‘s a lot of credit, traveling on the road is never an easy deal,” UNCP coach Pete Shinnick said. “ I was proud of our guys for coming out and playing good defensively. When you don’t have much tape of your opponent you have to sort of play the guessing game on defense.”

UNCP wide receiver L.J. Johnson tied his own school record with three touchdown receptions after being held to one catch last week at Fayetteville State. Johnson scored the game’s first points with 3:33 left in the first quarter on a 30-yard fade route from quarterback Cory Smith.

Smith found Johnson again in the fourth on a 1-yard floater in the back of the end zone for a 34-0 lead.

“I was able to watch the defensive technique tonight,” Johnson said. “It wasn’t hard to recognize their coverages and I was able to get off the line quickly.”

Shinnick was impressed with Johnson’s ability to bounce back from his sub-par performance last week.

“I was a little disappointed with LJ’s game last week,” Shinnick said. “We expect him to be a big contributor for us and he showed what he can tonight.”

St. Paul’s had four days to prepare for the Braves after receiving helmets and pads from Riddell Monday. Head coach Willard Bailey was satisfied with his team’s effort despite barely practicing.

“If we could‘ve played this game last week, we could've played a lot better,” Bailey said. “I give our players credit tonight, they lost to a good team. Pembroke has some impressive athletes."

The Tigers had to cancel their first game last Saturday against West Virginia Wesleyan due to severe economic situations.

“We have had some budget concerns,” Willard said. “When the economy knocks the average college to the ground, it knocks St. Paul’s College underground.”

After allowing 34 points to Fayetteville State, the Braves’ defense limited St. Paul’s to 141 total yards and forced four turnovers. Jamaral Rease sacked and stripped St. Paul’s quarterback Alwan Lee in the third quarter, forcing a loose ball in the end zone that James Alexander recovered for a touchdown.

All-American junior safety, Caylon Hann, recorded two interceptions. His leaping pick in the second quarter was returned 59 yards to the Tigers’ 18-yard line to set up the Braves’ second score.

“We practiced harder this week after what happened at Fayetteville State,” Hann said.

The Braves play Wingate next Saturday at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. The Bulldogs are the last team to beat UNCP, a 23-16 decision last season.