WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 16, 2019) – North Carolina A&T had to step on the floor Saturday afternoon at Burr Gymnasium without their leader on the sideline. They were still able to keep their streaks alive with a 63-58 win over the Howard Bison in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) women's basketball action.
The Aggies (14-10, 11-0 MEAC) played without head coach Tarrell Robinson, the program's all-time leader in winning percentage because he was caring for his family. Assistant coach Shavon Earp took over the coaching duties on Saturday and she saw Cinia McCray lead the Aggies with 22 points. It was the fourth time this season McCray has scored 20 or more points. McCray was 9-for-13 from the floor and 3-for-6 from 3-point range.
The Bison (13-11, 6-5 MEAC) and the Aggies were tied nine times over the first 22 minutes of the game. But junior C'Coriea Foy had a good stretch in the third quarter that helped the Aggies pull away. A McCray layup gave the Aggies a 35-33 lead.
After a Howard free throw cut the lead to one, Foy scored on a free throw, freshman Rayven Peeples scored inside and Foy knocked down a jump shot to give the Aggies a 40-34 lead with 4:33 remaining in the third quarter. The Bison got a bucket from Curstyn Moore before Foy hit two free throws to put the Aggies ahead by six. Foy finished her onslaught with a jumper off a pass from Shantell Bostick to give the Aggies a 44-36 lead with 2:28 to play.
Two Bostick free throws gave the Aggies their first double-figure lead of the game before Jasmen Walton pushed the lead to 48-36 with 56 seconds remaining in the third. Tariah Johnson got the Bison back on track with a 3-pointer before the end of the quarter.
But the Aggies opened the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 54-39 lead 42 seconds into the quarter. Jayla Thornton knocked down a three to keep the Bison in the game. It ignited a 15-4 run that allowed the Bison to cut the Aggies lead to 58-54 with 1:20 to play.
McCray, who has hit big shots for the Aggies throughout conference play, hit another big shot as she took a pass from junior Mikaya Wilson and scored in the lane to give the Aggies a six-point lead. Ayonna Williams' layup got the lead to two and two Williams free throws took the Aggies lead down to 60-58 with 42 seconds remaining.
Howard had a chance to tie or take the lead in the game but Asia McCants' jumper misfired and as N.C. A&T junior center Alexus Lessears grabbed the rebound. She was fouled and hit one of two free throws to give the Aggies a 61-58 lead with seven seconds remaining. Howard's last opportunity ended with a turnover as the Aggies won their 19thstraight game over MEAC competition. They have also won 15 straight games on the road against MEAC foes.
Foy finished with nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Lessears had nine points and six rebounds. Williams led the Bison with 22 points.
N.C. A&T will continue its difficult but final regular-season road trip of the season when it plays Norfolk State 5:30 p.m., Monday at the Echols Center. The Spartans are 12-11 overall and 7-3 in the MEAC.
