AGGIES COME THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH

AGGIES COME THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH

BALTIMORE, Md., February 20, 2006 – Despite the turnover the North Carolina A&T men’s basketball team has experienced this season, the players haven’t made excuses and the program is still headed in the right direction.

On Monday, Jason Wills scored 15 points and Greg Roberts added 10 to lead the Aggies to a 56-52 win over Morgan State at Hill Field House. The win marks the Aggies second road win of the season, the most in the three-year Eaves era and the most the Aggies have earned in four seasons.

“I don’t judge my team on wins and losses,’’ said head coach Jerry Eaves. “Wins are nice, we want to win because it makes everybody feel good, it increases morale, but I don’t judge my team that way. Our improvement is based on doing things the right way. If we keep doing things the right way, building this team the right way, the wins will come.”

N.C. A&T (5-19, 5-9) very easily could have had a Baltimore sweep. The Aggies lost in overtime to Coppin State on Saturday. On Monday, the circumstances on Monday were very similar. But this time the Aggies made the big plays to win it.

Morgan State’s Chris Warfield hit a free throw with 2:47 remaining to tie the game for seventh time, this time at 50. Wills’ free throw put the Aggies back in front by one. After the make, the Aggies put on their pressure, leading to Roberts sneaking up behind Marcus Gomes to poke the ball away.

The Aggies didn’t waste the possession. Walter Booth drove to the basket and hit a runner in the lane to give N.C. A&T a 53-50 lead with 1:07 remaining. Bears center Tyree Spinner hit a turnaround jumper in the post to pull the Bears to within one.

The Aggies, who committed just eight turnovers, remained poised. With 30 seconds remaining, Wills drove to the basket and went to his left-hand to shield off the defender and score to put the Aggies in front 55-52. Spinner missed two 3-pointers on the Bears ensuing possession and Wills’ rebound of the second miss sealed the win for the Aggies.

“Both of our games (in Baltimore) were very similar,’’ said Eaves. “The difference tonight was we made game-winning plays. “It is ironic that we make 13 of 17 free throws on Saturday and lose, but make 7 of 17 free throws tonight and win. The reason – we were able to make game-winning plays.”

Joseph McLean led Morgan State (3-22, 3-11) with 16 points and nine rebounds. The Aggies will try to continue their winning ways, and eclipse their conference win total from last season this Saturday when they host Norfolk State at 4 p.m.