A&T LOSES NAIL-BITER TO S.C. STATE

Box Score

GREENSBORO, NC, December 3, 2005 -- For the second time in five days, the Aggies could not get a last second jump shot to fall in the final seconds. Kira Tillman missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer as the final horn sounded, giving S.C. State a 72-69 victory over N.C. A&T in Corbett Sports Center.

N.C. A&T freshman Ahmad Williams came off the bench to score a season-high 19 points in front of her uncle, Super Bowl XXII MVP quarterback Doug Williams. Bianca Johnson added 15 points and six rebounds, while Shareka Glover added 15 points and nine assists. LaKeisha Williams scored 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting from the field.

Glover is 33 assists shy of becoming the all-time assists leader in N.C. A&T women’s basketball history.

The Aggies trailed 68-57 with 3:57 remaining before staging a furious rally behind Johnson and Glover. Johnson converted a 3-point play and a lay-up to cut the deficit to six points. Glover added two free throws, then made a steal and turned it into a lay-up and a 3-point play, trimming the deficit to 70-67 with 1:33 remaining.

S.C. State turned over the ball on the ensuing possession, but Glover was called for an offensive foul, giving the ball back to the Lady Bulldogs. Fallon Tucker made the second of two free throws to push the lead to four, 71-67 with 1:24 left to play. Glover missed a 3-pointer on the wing, but LaKeisha Williams stole the rebound and hit a lay-up, trimming the deficit to 71-69 with 11 ticks remaining. Tucker hit one of two free throws to set up the final play.

“We tried to get the ball to a shooter on the wing,” said N.C. A&T women’s basketball coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “They played it well, but Kira got an open look and she has to knock it down.”

The Lady Bulldogs (3-2, 1-0 MEAC) made 27 turnovers, but shot 50 percent from the field in the second half and won the rebounding battle, 43-30. Latoya Dent led S.C. State with 14 points, while LaQuita Ball added 13 and Melaney Denson 12.

“I think that some of our players have to realize that we need to come out strong in the first half and make plays,” Bibbs said. “We’ve come so close and have played so hard.  But when we step up and be focused on what we’re doing on the floor, particularly on defense, it will go our way.”

N.C. A&T will go on the road to face Kentucky on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. The Aggies will not play in Corbett Sports Center until Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m., against Bethune-Cookman.