AGGIES FALL TO BETHUNE-COOKMAN IN FLORIDA

Wills finally cools off, finishes with 10

Box Score
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., February 11, 2006 –  Bethune-Cookman probably came into Saturday’s game with a little revenge on its mind. The North Carolina A&T men’s basketball team earned its first win of the season against the Wildcats back on Jan. 16, and they did in front of national television audience on ESPN2.

 The Wildcats returned the favor in front of their home fans in a 69-55 victory over the Aggies in Moore Gymnasium on the campus of Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats were able to cool off Aggies forward Jason Wills, who entered the game averaging 19.5 points in his last eight contests.

 Wills finished with 10 points against the Wildcats constant double teams. Michael Hayes led the Aggies with 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting from 3-point range. Greg Roberts added 11 points and Walter Booth also finished in double figures with 10.

 Bethune-Cookman opened the second half with an 8-0 run to take a 45-34 lead with 17:32 remaining. Hayes canned a 3-pointer and Wills hit a jumper to cut the deficit to 45-40 2 ½ minutes later.

 Bethune-Cookman made its biggest push of the night at the minutes later. Antonio Webb hit a 12-footer for a seven-point lead. After an Aggie turnover, Michael Williams II hit a layup and a free throw for a 3-point play. Webb connected on a 3-pointer on the next Wildcats possession for a 55-42 lead with 11:38 remaining.

 The Aggies got within 60-49 on a Leslie Powell free throw, but Williams answered with a free throw and Anis Taylor hit a 3-pointer for a 64-49 Wildcats lead with five minutes remaining. Cold shooting in the second half hurt the Aggies (3-18, 3-8 in the MEAC) as they made 8 of 23 field goal attempts, including 1-for-11 from 3-point range. 

 “It was a hard fought game,’’ said head coach Jerry Eaves. “But when we’re on the road, we have to get the ball in the basket. They pushed a five-point lead to 11 and we could not make the free throws and jump shots to get closer.”

 Williams led all scorers with 16 points, while Walter Murray and Web had 13 points apiece. The Aggies return to action on Monday when they face Florida A&M in Tallahassee at 7:30 p.m