Box Score
GREENSBORO, N.C., December 16, 2006 – Sophomore guard Amber Bland came to North Carolina A&T with reputation of being a big-time player. Being a big-time player, however, requires making big-time plays.

Bland did just that Saturday afternoon for the N.C. A&T women’s basketball team, delivering the biggest play of the game – a 10-foot jumper with 6.4 seconds remaining to lift the Aggies to a 63-59 victory over UNC Asheville at Corbett Sports Center. 

Bland led the Aggies with 28 points on 11-for-22 shooting, while adding six steals to her totals. Freshman Lamona Smalley added 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals. In Brittanie Taylor-James’ first game as an Aggie, she scored nine points and had three rebounds.

“We came out with great intensity in the second half,” said coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “We made some adjustments but we did what he had to do to win tonight. I’m proud of the players for sticking with it and doing what it takes. We will continue to work, but this win feels good.”

After Amanda Elder, who had nine points and nine rebounds and six assists, hit a layup to give the Bulldogs a 59-57 lead with 1:17 remaining, Smalley answered with a jump hook for the game’s third tie in the final three minutes.

Following a Bulldog miss, Bland took the ball, dribbled toward the basket and elevated over UNC-Asheville’s Leslie Young for the game-winner. Bland then iced the game with a steal and two free throws. After hitting just one field goal in her first two games, the Penn State transfer is averaging 23 points per game her last four outings.

N.C. A&T (4-4), winners of three straight, erased a 12-point halftime deficit with a 28-13 run to open the second half. Ahmad Williams hit a 3-pointer and Tweet Cook converted two steals into layups to give the Aggies seven points in 22 seconds for a 49-46 lead with 7:42 left in the contest.

Barton hit a 3-pointer and layup, and Brittany Hendley hit a short jumper to give UNCA a 57-52 lead with 3:17 left to play. Smalley hit a layup and Taylor-James converted a 3-point play to tie the game at 57-57 with 2:35 left.  

Cook was the other Aggie in double figures with 10 points. Barton led the Bulldogs (4-5) with 20 points, while Brittany Hendley added 10 points.

The Aggies will continue their homestand on Monday when they take on Navy at 7 p.m. in Corbett Sports Center.