DOVER, Del., -- North Carolina A&T did on Saturday what t it is most comfortable doing. The Aggies won in overtime.
Senior center Thomas Coleman scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead N.C. A&T to a 78-73 overtime win over Delaware State at Memorial Hall. The Aggies improved to 4-1 in overtime games this season. They also snapped a three-game losing streak.
"We didn't play perfectly, but we won the game," said N.C. A&T head coach Jerry Eaves. "That's the important thing. This league is so competitive. Look up the scores this year. It's close. It's important that we're showing we can win the close ones."
N.C. A&T saw its 9-point second-half lead disappear thanks to guard-dominated lineup by the Hornets. Delaware State used the smaller lineup to drive and dish for open 3-point shots. Casey Walker's 3-pointer with 2:21 remaining gave the Hornets a 66-64 lead.
"This is the first year I can't go small and create mismatches," said Eaves. "It made it very difficult. They were shooting the ball so well. Their penetration created so many mismatches for us, so I finally had to start switching Coleman and (Marc Hill) just so we could contest better. Witter contested some big shots."
Chad Wilson tried to put the game away for the Hornets with another 3-pointer, but 6-foot-8 sophomore Austin Witter blocked the shot. The block ignited a fastbreak that R.J. Buck finished off with a layup that tied the game at 66 with 32 seconds remaining.
After a missed layup by Marques Oliver, Aggies point guard Marc Hill had a chance to win the game but saw his 30-footer rim out, sending the game into overtime.
Coleman continued to give the Hornets problems in the extra period. His dunk gave the Aggies a 74-73 lead with 1:36 remaining. Thirty seconds later, he stole the ball from Walker, which led to Adrian Powell's layup with 36 seconds remaining. Desi Washington's attempt to tie the game went long, securing the victory for N.C. A&T (10-13, 5-4).
"We had a stretch where we missed three straight layups, and that allowed them to get back into the game," said Eaves. "I thought in the overtime, my young men were a lot more aggressive around the rim. That made the difference."
Walker led the Hornets with 19 points on 5-for-13 shooting from 3-point range. Washington added four 3-pointers and 18 points. Delaware State dropped to 8-13 overall and 4-5 in the MEAC. The Aggies return to action Monday night at Maryland Easter Shore.
