Bland breaks school’s single-season scoring record

Box Score
NORFOLK, February 24, 2007 – Unlike their previous two road games, the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team withstood a tough challenge from their host and without breaking down during the stretch one.

The Aggies relentlessness earned them an 83-77 win that keeps them in second place in the MEAC and in control of their own destiny to earn a bye in the upcoming MEAC Tournament.

The Aggies, led by Ta’Wuana Cook’s 23 points, improved to 16-11 overall and 11-5 in the MEAC. Sophomore Amber Bland added 18 points for the Aggies. In the process, she broke the Aggies single-season scoring record previously held by three-time first-team All-MEAC performer Malveata Johnson. 

Bland tied the record with her first 3-pointer of the game at the 12:28 mark. It was timely three-pointer because it came after the Spartans had taken their biggest lead of the game at 52-45. Bland’s three sparked a 12-0 run that put the Aggies ahead 57-52 with 9:15 to play.

“I coached against Malveata when I was Hampton so I know she was a special player,’’ said head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “Amber should be very proud to break one of her records. Amber is  also a special player and will mean a lot to this program.”

Bland broke the record when she connected on the first of two-shot foul with 8:49 remaining. Bland, ranked 20^th in the nation in scoring, has 536 points on the season. Johnson also broke the record as a sophomore with 528 points. Bland hit her next free throw to give the Aggies their biggest lead of the game a five-point lead at 59-54. The Aggies lead would grow to as many as eight before the Spartans mounted a rally.

A 3-point play by Mo’Nique Redhead cut the Aggies lead to four at 70-66. But the Aggies responded by scoring six straight points capped off by a Cook runner. The Spartans kept coming, however. With 1:20 remaining, Areya Walker followed her own shot and scored to cut the Aggies lead to 77-72.

Brittanie Taylor-James was spotted running the floor and Cook connected with the sophomore for a big score that increased the Aggies lead to seven. Norfolk State guard Toia Johnson’s three put the Spartans back within four, 79-75 with 48 seconds remaining. But the Aggies who were 33-for-51 from the line for the game, hit four out five foul shots to clinch the win.

“I want us to come out ready to play on the road,’’ said Bibbs. “For some reason we come out flat and takes us a while to get going. But we earned a win and that’s something we didn’t do on our last road trip.”

Bibbs and the Aggies visit Hampton on Monday evening at 6. Bibbs spent seven seasons at Hampton, taking the Pirates to three NCAA appearances.