Box Score
Aggies also have two other tournaments on the schedule

GREENSBORO, November 11, 2008 – Although Tuesday night’s contest against Belmont-Abbey was an exhibition game, The North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team wanted the night to have all the bells and whistles of a regular-season.

Therefore, the Aggies put on their golden home uniforms. The coaches dressed in their best attire. And the women’s basketball team displayed the same smothering defense that has helped it win 11 straight home games by an average of 25.7 points.

Brittanie Taylor-James led the way with 23 points and five steals on 9-for-13 shooting from the floor as the Aggies defeated the Crusaders 84-52 at Corbett Sports Center. Amber Bland added 12 points. The Aggies, who were second in the nation in steals last season, recorded 16 steals against the Crusaders. N.C. A&T’s pressure defense also caused 36 Crusader turnovers.

“We want to be known for our defense,’’ said head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “We know we have people that can put the ball in the basket offensively. The question is; do we have people who are going to give it their all on the defensive end night after night?”

N.C. A&T never received a tough challenge from the Crusaders throughout the night. A Nakia DeBlanc put back gave the Aggies a 14-3 lead in the first 4 ½ minutes of the game. The Crusaders were never able to get the lead under double-figures again.

What was impressive is that the Aggies limited the Crusaders to just 15 first-half shot attempts, while forcing 21 first-half turnovers. The Aggies also rebounded the ball well on the offensive end as they finished the night with 21 offensive rebounds.

The night also allowed Bibbs to get a glimpse at the Aggies future. Freshman Tierra Thomas was one of three players in double figures. She finished with 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting. DeBlanc, another Aggie freshman, had eight points and seven rebounds.

“You want to play these type of games,’’ said Bibbs. “It allows you to play a lot of people. It allows you to put a lot of different combinations out on the floor in game-like atmosphere. And it gives people a chance to compete for minutes. We saw some things we liked, and we saw some thing we definitely need to work on before Saturday gets here.”

Saturday afternoon is not a dress rehearsal for the Aggies. They open the season in Rock Hill, S.C., in the Winthrop Tournament. Their first opponent will be Ole Miss at 1 p.m. Depending on the outcome of their game against Ole Miss, the Aggies will play either Winthrop or Davidson on Sunday afternoon. The championship game is at 3 and the consolation game is at 1.