GREENSBORO - North Carolina A&T center Thomas Coleman has had a magnificent season rebounding the basketball. His team has not. The Aggies came into the game ranked eighth in the league in rebounding margin. Head coach Jerry Eaves knows that must change if his team is to win a championship.
In an attempt to rectify the problem, Eaves extended his bench in order to give his players more rest throughout the game so their legs will be fresher down the stretch of games. It worked like a charm on Saturday as the Aggies defeated Howard 68-49 at Corbett Sports Center.
In the process, the Aggies out-rebounded the Bison 42-29. It marked just the eighth time this season the Aggies have out-rebounded an opponent.
"For us to out-rebound a team like this is monumental," said Eaves. "We've been making a conscious effort to rebound the ball."
The Aggies had five different players grab at least three rebounds on Saturday. Nine different players recorded at least one rebound led by Thomas Coleman who had 19 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
But the key may have been sophomore DaMetrius Upchurch's 10 points and six rebounds. Upchurch started the season as a starter. Over time, he saw his minutes dwindled as he struggled. On five different occasions this season, Upchurch didn't enter the game at all.
Last week, he worked his way back into the lineup at Maryland Eastern Shore. On Saturday, he was active on the offensive glass and even had two blocked shots. His emergence along with freshman Ray Lester's will give more rest to sophomores Austin Witter and Adrian Powell, so Eaves can use the rested lengthy players at the power and small forward positions late in games.
"I felt like at the beginning of the season I wasn't doing what I was supposed to do," said Upchurch. "I understand my role now. I have to rebound so I can help Thomas as much as I possibly can because he can't play the whole game. He needs help on the boards."
Rebounding helped the Aggies build an early 10-point lead in the second half. But Howard's Dadrian Collins cut the lead to 48-45 with 13 minutes to play. The Aggies answered as Coleman found Upchurch underneath the basket for a 3-point play.
Upchurch's basket ignited a 14-2 run that gave the Aggies a 62-47 lead with 5 ½ minutes to play. The run was capped off by a Marc Hill steal, which led to a wide-open layup from Cristian Henry.
"This thing is wide open," said Eaves. "Every game is a challenge. Every game is critical. It's must win. It's the best time of the year."
The Aggies improved to 11-14 overall and 6-5 in the conference. They play conference-leader Hampton Monday night at 7 live on ESPNU from Corbett Sports Center.
