Bland, Taylor-James combine for 53 points

Box Score
WINSTON-SALEM, January 24, 2009 – The things that could separate two outstanding players on the same team don’t seem to be affecting Brittanie Taylor-James and Amber Bland. Player of the year awards, padding stats or receiving accolades is not the main focus of North Carolina A&T’s terrific duo. Therefore, it’s not hard to get along when you are of the same mindset.

 “We’re seniors,’’ said Taylor-James. “This is it for us. We get along with each other because we understand we want to win a championship.”

Taylor-James and Bland combined to score 53 points in a 73-40 trouncing of Winston-Salem State Saturday afternoon at LJVM Coliseum. Bland led the way with 29 points and 12 rebounds on 11-for-17 shooting. Taylor-James added 24 points and seven rebounds on 9-for-17 shooting.

“People assume when you have players like Brittanie and Amber there are not enough basketballs to go around,’’ said head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “But for this team, one basketball is enough because they know how to play this game. They know how to play off of one another.”

That was evident on Saturday. Bland scored 17 of the Aggies first 26 points to help the Aggies take a 26-10 lead. Taylor-James then stepped in and scored six of the Aggies final 11 points of the first half as the Aggies jogged into the locker room with a 37-18 lead. Taylor-James then opened the second half by scoring 10 of the Aggies first 12 points to open the Aggies lead to 49-20.

“When Amber gets it going like she had going today, it gets me hyped up. It gets me excited,’’ said Taylor-James.

The two Aggie standouts began their playing careers during the 2006-07 season after both transferred in from Division I schools looking for an opportunity to increase their minutes. Bland transferred in from Penn State, while Taylor-James traveled in from UC-Santa Barbara. The Aggies are 54-26 since their arrival. They are 32-7 in the MEAC since the duo arrived, including a 5-0 start this season. Taylor-James leads the conference in scoring and is one of the top free throw shooters in the league. Bland leads the conference in 3-point shooting and ranks among the top five scorers in the league.

Therefore, they both have tremendous basketball skill. But that is where the similarities end. Taylor-James brings more of an ostentatious persona to the court, while Bland is more reserved and guarded with her enthusiasm. Despite the differences in demeanor, they are bonded by a common goal.

“Over the years Amber and I have gotten much closer,’’ said Taylor-James. “We understand each other in terms of our different personalities and our roles on this team. We are the catalyst and the captains of this team, so it’s very important we have camaraderie.”

“Once you get those two going, your team gets going,’’ Bibbs added. “Usually Amber focuses on defense, but we saw today she can get into a zone. They were both great today and it’s very important those two do what they need to do.”

The Aggies will try to continue to do what they have been doing lately, and that’s winning. The Aggies travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to face S.C. State Monday night at 6:30 p.m. The Aggies have won six straight and improved to 12-5 overall.