Aggies hit just 2 of 18 threes

Box Score
GREENSBORO, November 27, 2007 – There is certainly nothing good about a loss. But despite the North Carolina A&T men’s basketball team’s 93-59 loss to No. 11 Tennessee Tuesday night, the Aggies are coming back to Greensboro feeling they gained some momentum over the past week.

The Aggies played major programs DePaul and Tennessee in the last four days, earning an upset win over DePaul. Now, the Aggies are 4-3 after having their four-game winning streak snapped. It is one of the best November’s the Aggies have had in almost two decades.

“This was a great learning experience for my team,’’ said head coach Jerry Eaves. “But to play two programs like DePaul and Tennessee on a road trip and come away 1-1 is not a bad thing. We see as a good thing and a positive step forward.”

The Aggies looked poised to claim their second straight upset victim. They took an 11-10 lead in the first half on a Jason Wills to Steven Rush layup with 13:53 remaining. But the Vols went on a tremendous run that put the Aggies away. The Vols went on 41-8 run that helped them go into the locker with a 52-22 halftime lead. The Vols were 13-for-16 from the floor during the run, including seven 3-pointers.

Meanwhile, the Aggies were not as fortunate from the floor. After hitting 10 3-pointers on Saturday against DePaul, standout guard Steven Rush went 0-for-8 from 3-point range and finished with just eight points. It marked the first time Rush has not hit a three during his N.C. A&T career. As a team, the Aggies shot just 36 percent from the field in the first half.  

“We played a very good Tennessee team tonight,’’ said Eaves. “We again had a tough shooting night, but that was because of their defensive pressure. Tennessee played well. Now our most important game is on Saturday against Norfolk State. It’s a conference games and winning those games are crucial.”

Jason Wills led the Aggies with 12 points and 10 rebounds, notching his 11^th career double-double. Wills also had six assists. The Aggies travel to Norfolk, Va., to face the Spartans at Echols Arena Saturday at 6 p.m.