Wills records sixth career double-double

Box Score
BALTIMORE, January 22, 2007 – North Carolina A&T’s good fortunes on the road ran out on Monday night. It was do in most part to the unusual occurrence of not knocking down 3-pointers and less than stellar free shooting as Morgan State came away with a 69-60 win over the Aggies.

Junior postman Jason Wills recorded his sixth career double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, which ties his career high on the glass. Morgan State was led by Jamar Smith who came off the bench to score 20 points and grab eight rebounds on 6-for-12 shooting. Guard Joseph McLean also had 20 and Ronald Timus added 19.

“Give Morgan State credit, but we played poorly tonight,’’ said N.C. A&T head coach Jerry Eaves said. “We didn’t hit our free throws at crucial moments, we didn’t shots and that’s all because we didn’t adhere to our principles.”

The Bears began to put some distance between themselves and the Aggies six minutes into the second half. After two Trahern Chaplin free throws pulled the Aggies to within two at 40-38, Jamar Smith followed with two free throws and a jump shot to give the Bears a six-point advantage.

McLean hit a three after the Aggies missed their sixth straight shot from the field to give the Bears a 47-38 lead with 13:14 remaining. Eight minutes later Reggie Holmes gave the Bears their biggest lead of the game at 57-47.

The Aggies (8-11, 4-3) fought back with an Austin Ewing runner, a Steven Rush free throw and a 3-point play by Walter Booth to get back within four. But the Aggies missed an opportunity to cut to two on a missed layup. Smith made them pay with a 3-pointer to give the Bears a 60-53 lead with 3:31 to play.

The Aggies couldn’t get any closer than five the rest of the way.

“We came on a tough road trip and took two out of four,’’ said Eaves. “That shows we’re growing. We need to back to work on Wednesday because we have two very good teams coming to our place.”

The Aggies host Norfolk State on Saturday at 4 p.m., and play on ESPNU Monday night at 7 p.m., against Hampton in Corbett Sports Center.