Friday night, the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team got its versatile leader back after she missed the first game of the season with a knee injury. Smalley made an immediate difference by scoring 12 points, grabbing eight rebounds and recording three steals to lead the Aggies to a 62-57 win over Chicago State in the consolation round of the WNIT played at the Towson Center.

Senior Ta'Wuana Cook added 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting. The Aggies will play Towson Saturday night at 7:30 from the Towson Center.

“Lamona is an intelligent player who doesn't make many mistakes,'' said North Carolina A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “Lamona really has the skills of a guard, but her body makes her tough to handle in the post.”

After trailing most of the first half and midway through the second half, the Aggies finally captured the lead at 51-49 with 9:02 to play on a Jaleesa Sams layup thanks to a pass from Smalley. The Aggies never relinquished the lead again. A Jael Pena free throw cut the Aggies lead to 53-52 with 5:50 remaining in the game.

A Smalley layup put the Aggies up by three before a layup by Alysaa Waldon sliced the Aggies lead back to one at 55-54. The Aggies tried to put the Cougars away when Tierra Thomas found an open Nikia Gorham for a layup. Two Cook free throws gave the Aggies a 59-54 lead with 36 seconds remaining.

But Waldon hit a three with 20 seconds remaining to cut the lead to two. N.C. A&T freshman point guard Amber Calvin hit one of two free throws to keep the Cougars' hopes alive. Natalie Marlow couldn't tie the game; however, as her three came up short. Smalley grabbed the rebound and iced the game with two free throws.

“I think we played well defensively,'' said Bibbs. “Everyone contributed tonight, and our freshmen are really maturing quickly. They are going to have a lot to offer us going forward.”