GREENSBORO (November 11, 2016) – It took North Carolina A&T about 30 minutes to rid themselves of first-game jitters. Once they were gone the Aggies breezed to a 67-50 win over crosstown foe Greensboro College Friday night at Corbett Sports Center.
Eliel Gonzalez, a junior college transfer, scored all 13 of his points in the final 11 minutes of the game in his debut as an Aggie. Davaris McGowens, another junior college transfer making his debut for N.C. A&T, had 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field. Junior James Whitaker had his first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.
“Any time you go into a game opener it's really hit or miss in terms of seeing how long it takes a team to calm down because everyone was excited in the locker room before the game,” said N.C. A&T head coach Jay Joyner. “Greensboro College is well coached. They came in here trying to beat us, and they gave us a game for the majority of the time.”
The Aggies (1-0) led just 25-21 at halftime, but a 13-5 run to open the second half gave the Aggies a 38-26 lead as the run ended on a fastbreak as Gonzalez connected with McGowens with 14 minutes to play. Three Pride 3-pointers over the next four minutes helped to cut the Aggies lead to two at 42-40. Gonzalez then took over. Gonzalez drove to the basket three consecutive times and then pulled up for a long 3-pointer that he arched high in the sky and dropped through the basket.
“When I looked up at the scoreboard we were only winning by two points. I felt like it was time to go hard and get it done,” said Gonzalez. “Their point guard was smaller than me, so I figured I could use my body against him to get to the basket.”
Gonzalez's onslaught was a part of a 19-3 Aggies run that resulted in a 61-43 lead with 4:28 remaining in the game. After a long preseason and two exhibition games, Joyner came into Friday's game eager to see Gonzalez and McGowens perform the way they performed Friday. It was especially gratifying to see McGowens play well because he battled injuries during the preseason. Joyner was also pleased with the Aggies rebounding as they outrebounded The Pride 45-33 led by Whitaker.
“Fifteen rebounds for anybody is a big night,” said Joyner. “Whitaker has been playing the wing and not rebounding. But we spend 15 to 20 minutes every day rebounding. Once Whitaker saw he could do it and was demanded to do it, he responded. Fifteen rebounds against anybody means you're giving great effort.”
Now that the Aggies have Game No. 1 complete and the nerves are gone, they can settle in and get ready for their next game which will be played at East Carolina 7 p.m., Monday at Minges Coliseum.
