GREENSBORO - For 32 minutes, the North Carolina A&T men's basketball team had an upset victory in sight.

But Arizona State was able to hold the Aggies offense in check to earn a 56-50 win Thursday afternoon at Ned Wulk Court. Junior Nic Simpson led the Aggies with 17 points and five assists. Sophomore Adrian Powell added 10 points and senior Thomas Coleman finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots.

"My kids played with a lot of guts,'' said N.C. A&T head coach Jerry Eaves, who lost to the Sun Devils by just five points in 2006. "My team is getting closer and closer to being able to play compete with the type of players that attend the Arizona State's and Stanford's. It's a shame we couldn't get this one."

The Aggies led 38-26 three minutes into the second half. But Coleman, the Aggies leading scorer and rebounder, picked up three fouls within the first five minutes of the second half. Coleman's fourth foul came at the 14:55 mark of the second half.

The Sun Devils eventually cut into the Aggies lead. Rihards Kuksiks 4-point play sliced the lead to 47-44 with 8:36 to play. Powell pushed the Aggies lead back to six on a 3-pointer.

But Powell's basket would be the final points of the afternoon for N.C. A&T. The Aggies went the final eight minutes without scoring. Kuksiks' 3-pointer gave the Sun Devils a 53-50 lead with 2:55 remaining. The Aggies had two opportunities to answer, but missed two 3-pointers. Arizona State didn't seal the game until Trent Lockett hit a free throw with 26 seconds remaining.

"I thought it was big when we had to take Thomas out of the game because of foul trouble," said Eaves. "Thomas Coleman was the best player on the floor today, and not having for that period of time hurt us."

Kuksiks led the Sun Devils with 15 points. Lockett added 12 points and Kyle Cain recorded 14 rebounds. The Aggies return to action 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29 when they play at Arkansas.