Roberts scores a career-high 22 points

Box Score
GREENSBORO, January 27, 2007 – Greg Roberts said he remembers the not-so-good old days and enjoys these kinds of days much better. The North Carolina A&T men’s basketball team improved to 6-0 at Corbett Sports Center this season with an 80-60 win over Norfolk State.

Roberts scored a career-high 24 points and had seven rebounds to lead the Aggies. Steven Rush added 15 points, while Angelo Hernandez had perhaps his best game of the season with 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals on 5-for-8 shooting.

“I thought the intensity was there tonight,’’ said head coach Jerry Eaves. “If we keep playing like that, it doesn’t matter where we play, we’re going to be successful. I keep preaching, we stick to your principles and your style of play, the wins will come.”

Saturday’s win was the Aggies (9-11, 5-3) first over Norfolk State in four tries. The win also helped the Aggies move a step closer to first place with Delaware State losing. The Aggies are in a third-place tie with Norfolk State at 5-3 in the conference and a half game behind second-place Florida A&M. Delaware State leads the league at 7-1.

“It feels great to be undefeated at home and to be winning period,’’ said Roberts. “I was here when we couldn’t buy a win at home. But we can’t be satisfied. We have to keep improving until we’re good enough to win a championship.”

Two Roberts free throws gave the Aggies their biggest lead of the game at that point, 44-34, with 13:24 remaining. But the Spartans started cutting into the Aggies double-figures lead. When Tony Murphy spotted up in the corner for a three, it fell through the net to cut the lead to three, 49-46 with 7:53 remaining.

The Aggies would take over from there. After Murphy’s three, Wills drove to the basket and scored and was fouled Brandon Plummer. Wills’ 3-point play gave the Aggies a 52-46 lead. After a Calvin Brown free throw, the Aggies scored the next six points for a 58-47 lead with 5:32 remaining.

N.C. A&T sealed the win with great free throw shooting. The Aggies hit 16 of 20 free throws over the last five minutes of the game to put away the Spartans (5-13, 5-3). Murphy led the Spartans with 22 points on 6-for-12 shooting from 3-point range. Plummer added 16 points.

The Aggies return to live TV on Monday when they face Hampton Monday night at 7 from Corbett Sports Center on ESPNU.