AGGIES HAVE STREAK ENDED

Box Score

NORFOLK, VA., January 28, 2006 – North Carolina A&T senior forward Michael Hayes raced down court with 1:06 remaining in the game at Norfolk State on Saturday. After he went through his steps to put up his layup, the ball rolled around the rim and eventually made its way to the back of the rim, where it stayed.

 The ball never came down until someone tapped it down after the Aggies received possession on the alternate possession. But the awkward play summed up the Aggies night from the field as the ball seemed as if it never wanted to go through the net. The Aggies shot 25.5 percent from the field in a 55-43 loss to Norfolk State.

 The loss snapped the Aggies three-game winning streak as they dropped to 3-14 overall and 3-5 in the MEAC. Trahern Chaplin and Jason Wills had 12 points apiece for the Aggies.

 “We didn’t hit our shots, and when you struggle the way we did tonight there are not too many wins that are going to come your way,’’ said N.C. A&T head coach Jerry Eaves. “You have those nights, and tonight was one of those nights.”

 A poor field goal percentage was not the Aggies only problem. N.C. A&T shot 26 percent from 3-point range and 45.8 percent from the free throw line. The Spartans didn’t shoot much better – 38.3 percent for the game – but they did start the second half by hitting shots.

 The Spartans hit eight of their first 12 shots to start the second half after shooting 31.8 percent in the first half as the two teams combined to score just 39 points in a 20-19 halftime score in Norfolk State’s favor.

 Norfolk State’s early second half hot streak gave the Spartans a 38-26 lead with 11:23 remaining in the game. Aggies guard Leslie Powell answered with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to nine. But the Aggies could not hit enough shots to get much closer.

 Two Greg Roberts free throws with 10:32 remaining cut the Spartans lead to eight, 39-31. The Aggies could not get any closer the rest of the night as the Spartans built their lead to as many as 17 in the second half.

 “When you shoot 25, 26 and 45, you’re not going to win,’’ Eaves said about the Aggies’ field goal, free throw and 3-point percentages. “That pretty much sums the game up right there. I think we can play with this team. Tonight, we just didn’t hit shots.”

 Karandick Ogunride led Norfolk State with 12 points and 13 rebounds. The Aggies will try to regroup on Monday when they face Hampton at the HU Convention Center at 7:30 p.m.