Box Score
Smalley records her eighth career double-double

GREENSBORO, November 21, 2008 – If there is anything that can cure an 0-2 start for the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team, it’s playing at home.

The Aggies won their 12^th game at Corbett with a 90-60 win over Triad-rival Elon Friday night. For the 13^th straight time, the Aggies victory at home was by double-figures. Senior Amber Bland led the Aggies with 16 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Junior Lamona Smalley came off the bench to record 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Ta’Wuana Cook and Reisha Bullock added 13 and 12 respectively.

 “When you’re in your own domain, it just seems like you can just find a way to do good things,’’ said head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “Being at home is great, but I always a true mark of a team is how well they can handle themselves on the road. It was good to get back home and get a win, but we’re going to have to prove we can win on the road too.”

The Aggies lost their first two games as a part of the Winthrop Tournament in Rock Hill, S.C. In both games, the Aggies allowed their opponent to erase deficits and win. Elon had no such luck. The Aggies jumped on the Phoenix quickly, grabbing a 16-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game thanks to a Bland 3-pointer.

N.C. A&T went into the locker room at halftime with a 47-30 lead. But there is the matter of the second half to grapple with. The last 20 minutes this time was not a problem.

Over the first 2 ½ minutes of the second half, the Aggies scored the first six points of the half. A Tierra Thomas baseline jumper would give the Aggies their biggest margin of the game, 68-36 with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

“I’m happy to see us put two halves together tonight,’’ said Bibbs. “When you can bring all your people off the bench and they can make a contribution, it’s a good night for you. The more experience our young players receive, the better off they will be. I thought we really hit the boards tonight, which is going to be key for us.”

The Aggies will take a week off from competition before heading to Greenville, N.C., to play in the East Carolina Holiday Tournament, where they will open against Buffalo 7 p.m. The Aggies do not return home again until Dec. 6 when they play their conference opener against Norfolk State at 2 p.m.

“We love being at Corbett because of the crowd,’’ said Bland, who has seen the Aggies go 23-3 at Corbett since she started playing for the Aggies in 2006. “You can’t help but to play hard for this crowd because they’re so into the game. They multiple the energy you already have going into the game.”