AGGIES
WIN THIRD STRAIGHTGREENSBORO, NC, January 23, 2006 – Michael Hayes scored a career-high 20 points, marking it the third time in four games an Aggie as reached his career high, as the Aggies kept Morgan State winless with a 60-42 win.
The Aggies have won their third straight, marking their longest winning streak in four years. The Aggies improved to 3-13 overall and 3-4 in the MEAC as they move into the thick of the MEAC race. Joseph McLean led the Bears with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Forty-two points are the fewest points the Aggies have allowed since holding Morgan State to 31 points in 1993.
“I knew our struggles would help us enjoy the good times,’’ said N.C. A&T men’s basketball coach Jerry Eaves. “These young men have been through a lot this year, but they didn’t make excuses. They just went out and executed, and now we’re on a pretty good roll.”
The Aggies struggled against Morgan State (0-17, 0-6), who dressed just six players, before pulling away in the final 10 minutes of the game.
The Aggies led 35-34 and were in a period of the game in which they had hit just one field goal over an 11 ˝ minute span. Hayes broke that streak by hitting a jump shot from the foul line at the 9:51 mark.
Hayes hit another 3-pointer to then spark a 15-0 run that saw the Aggies grow their lead to 50-34 with 5:40 remaining. Timothy Berkley broke the streak, but sparked by Greg Roberts two layups, the Aggies scored six consecutive points to pull ahead by 20.
“It’s hard to get up for a team that only has six players,’’ said Eaves. “Their roster includes some good players. They are a lot like us in that they have some kids struggling with grades, but like us they haven’t made excuses, and you saw that tonight in the way they played us.”
The Aggies led by as many as 17 in the first half and were up 10 at the half, 31-21. But their cold streak allowed Morgan State to rally. The Bears pulled to within one thanks to free throws because they went 4 ˝ minutes without a field goal of their own.
“We haven’t won on the road yet, so that’s the next challenge we’re looking at,’’ said Hayes. “We did what we needed to do at home. If we want to win this conference we’re going to need to win some games on the road.”
The Aggies head to the Tidewater area to face Norfolk State on Saturday and Hampton on Monday. The Aggies have not won at Hampton since the 1998 season, and have failed to beat Hampton since 2001.