AGGIES GET
FIRST WINGREENSBORO, NC, January 16, 2006 – One almost has to feel sorry for the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Among the crowd those in attendance at Corbett Sports Center on Monday was legendary Aggie men’s basketball coaches Cal Irvin and Don Corbett.
Golden State Warriors front office executive and Aggie great Al Attles was also in attendance along with other great Aggie players who built the N.C. A&T CIAA and MEAC dynasties.
With all that success in the building, it’s no wonder Jason Wills’ two free throws with 7.3 seconds remaining gave the Aggies their first win of the season, 69-67 in front of nationally televised audience on ESPN2 as ESPN honored Martin Luther King, Jr., Day by televising three HBCU games on its stations.
“If you’re going to win, you might as well do it on television right?” said N.C. A&T head coach Jerry Eaves. “This was truly a special day for North Carolina A&T basketball. It was well deserved honor for both men and a big win for us in front of a national television audience.”
Irvin and Corbett were honored before the game by having the court named after the game. The official name is Cal Irvin-Don Corbett Court at Ellis F. Corbett Sports Center. Together Irvin and Corbett have accounted for more than 70 percent of the Aggies all-time win total and 14 tournament titles.
Now under the direction of Eaves, the Aggies hope to return to excellence, but had fallen on hard times this season because their roster had been depleted for various reasons. Despite that, the Aggies had lost their previous four conference games by a total of 10 points.
On Monday, they were in another tough tussle down the stretch. Wills led the Aggies with 20 points, in his second consecutive 20-plus point outing. Michael Hayes added 16 points on 5-for-12 shooting from 3-point range.
Wills’ biggest contributions were not big shots, they were big drives. With 5:23 remaining in the game, Wills drove to the basket and drew the fifth foul on Sam Barber. Barber left the game with eight points and six rebounds.
At the 1:57 mark, Wills found himself in an isolation with the Wildcats’ Michael Williams II. He again drove to the basket, drew the foul. Williams, the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, would also have to go to bench with his foul.
Wills stepped to the line at hit one of two free throws to give N.C. A&T a 66-65 lead. Kory Crumbley answered for the Wildcats as he followed an Antonio Webb miss to give the Wildcats a 67-66 lead with 1:20 to play.
Greg Roberts would tie the game for the fourth time in the last four minutes by hitting one of two free throws to tie the game at 67. After a Wildcats miss, it was again Jason Wills made yet another drive to the basket that drew a foul. Wills stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to give N.C. A&T a 69-67 lead. After Webb dribbled the ball over halfcourt, the Wildcats had 4.4 seconds to score.
Webb came off the screen, found himself in a one-on-one matchup with Leslie Powell. He took Powell off the dribble and pulled up for a three that came up short. Aggie fans stormed the floor for the Aggies first win of the season and their first in 15 games dating back to last season.
Webb led the Wildcats with 18 points. Michael Williams added 12 points and seven rebounds. The Aggies are back in action 4 p.m., Saturday against Coppin State at Corbett Sports Center.