BUZZER-BEATER DOWNS AGGIES

Tillman leads Aggies with 16 points

 Box Score
GREENSBORO, February 25, 2006 – Norfolk State’s Toia Johnson’s shot as time expired at Corbett Sports Center on Saturday danced around the rim as if it was waiting for the right prayer to answer.

 As it turned out, it answered the prayers of the Spartans as Johnson’s buzzer-beater earned Norfolk State a 59-57 win in MEAC women’s basketball action. The win drops the Aggies to 7-17 overall and 7-8 in the MEAC.

 It dropped the Aggies to sixth in the standings, which means if things stay the same they would have to play Tuesday evening instead of Thursday.

 “This is a difficult loss to take, there is no question about that,’’ said head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “But at this point everyone knows what’s at stake. You have to win. These games are crucial. We put ourselves in a situation where it came down to a last second shot and they executed.”

 Norfolk State forward Jasmine Wilson put the Spartans in front by five with a nice post move with 3:49 remaining.

 After Bianca Johnson cut the lead to four, Shareka Glover hit a jump shot from the corner to pull the Aggies to within two.  LaKeisha Williams tied the game on a driving layup. Toia Johnson answered with a huge 3-pointer as the shot clock expired.

 The Aggies moved back to within one, 55-54 on free throws. Shareka Glover then appeared headed toward giving the Aggies the lead when she stole the ball from Brenda McClary with 32 seconds remaining. Glover raced down court, but was stopped when Toia Johnson reached out and fouled her intentionally.

 The foul cost Toia Johnson and the Spartans two shots, plus possession went back to the Aggies. Glover, an 82 percent free throw shooter, made one of two to tie the game at 55. Kira Tillman then gave the Aggies the lead thanks to a beautiful pass from Bianca Johnson. McClary tied the game for the eighth time of the night by getting inside the lane and scoring on a layup.

 Tillman tried to give the Aggies the win, but missed long. Williams grabbed the offensive board, and tried to score but ran into Spartan traffic. Despite contact, no call was made.  

 Jasmine Wilson scooped up the loose ball, and tossed it to Toia Johnson at midcourt. Johnson raced down the floor in an effort to beat the buzzer. When she arrived just inside the free throw line she launched the shot just as the horn sounded.

 Tillman led the Aggies with 15, Johnson and Glover had 10 apiece. McClary led the Spartans (5-17, 5-10) with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

 The Aggies will try to get back on track when they invite Hampton to town on Monday. Game time is 5:30 p.m. The Aggies will celebrate senior night on Wednesday, March 1 as they say goodbye to Tillman, Johnson and Glover.