BALTIMORE - The North Carolina A&T women's basketball team led for only 14.1 seconds on Saturday. That's all the time the Aggies needed. Sophomore center Nikia Gorham tipped in her own miss at the buzzer to lead the Aggies to a 75-74 win over Coppin State at the Physical Education Complex.
Coppin State's Shawntae Payne lost the ball to Jaleesa Sams with six seconds remaining. Sams raced down the floor to win the game, but saw her layup roll off the rim. Gorham followed with a put back that fell short. Her second attempt at a game winner went down as the horn sounded, however.
Gorham scored the Aggies final five points to finish with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
"I'm proud of Nikia," said Bibbs. "She was down there grabbing rebounds as hard as she can and finally got the ball in the basket."
N.C. A&T trailed by nine at halftime, and trailed by as many as 15 with 17 ½ minutes remaining in the game. Nine minutes later, back-to-back 3-pointers by freshman Mikala Scott and Sams pulled the Aggies to within two at 65-63.
The Eagles pulled away again to take a 74-68 lead on a Leola Spotwood with three minutes to play. Gorham took over on the offensive boards from there. After a Sams layup moved the Aggies to within two, Gorham grabbed an offensive board on the Aggies next possession and was fouled.
Gorham hit one of two free throws to slice the Eagles' lead to 74-71. Another Eagles turnover led to a Sams layup attempt that Gorham rebounded. Jeanine Manley fouled Gorham on her put back attempt. Gorham, a Bowie, Md., native, hit both free throws to move the Aggies to within one with 32 seconds left.
"We got out slow in the first half and got down on defense," said Bibbs. "But after halftime we got back on defense and started grabbing every rebound. We came from behind which shows the growth of our players."
The Aggies improved to 9-9 overall and 5-2 in the MEAC. Sams finished with an impressive 19 points, nine rebounds, six steals, four assists and two blocks. Larrisa Carter had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Eagles who dropped to 6-12 overall and 3-4 in the MEAC.
The Aggies will stay in Baltimore to face Morgan State Monday night at 6.
