PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Tracy King has a magnificent understanding of the North Carolina A&T women's basketball situation.
"Somebody has to get the job done," the Alexandria, Va., freshman said after the Aggies 80-68 overtime win over Maryland Eastern Shore at Hytche Center on Monday night.
King along with four other Aggies did get it done. King finished with a season-best 24 points. Jaleesa Sams recorded her second straight double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Nikia Gorham returned to score 15 points and grab nine rebounds.
"This was a total team effort tonight," said N.C. A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. "Every time I turned around, there was somebody else contributing to this victory. I tell them all the time that anyone can talk a good game, it's much more rewarding when your hard work does the talking."
King had to step into the starting lineup because the Aggies were still missing players. For the third straight game, the Aggies were without second-leading scorer Jaquayla Berry. The Aggies were also missing freshmen Sabre Proctor and Lamesha Deal.
Despite the absences, the Aggies held a 53-42 lead with 9:42 remaining in the game. An effective zone kept the Hawks baffled for the first 10 minutes of the second half. But turnovers allowed the Hawks to make some baskets in transitions. A couple well-timed 3-pointers aided UMES as well.
UMES' rally was complete when Sha-Kiyla Finney stole a King pass and raced to the other end to drop a bounce pass off to LaKendra Wilkerson for a 66-66 tie that sent the game into overtime.
But the overtime summed up the evening for the Aggies. They got contributions from, Gorham, Reisha Bullock chipped in with a key assists and free throws and King hit 5 of 6 free throws in the extra period to put UMES away.
"We knew on this road trip that the freshmen had to step in for people who have really been playing a lot this season," said King. "In order to do that, you have to score a lot of points and get a lot rebounds. (Sams) couldn't do it all by herself."
The Aggies (10-11, 6-4) closed the game on a 13-0 run as Gorham opened the rally with a wide-open layup thanks to a pass from Bullock. The Aggies completed their four-game road trip 2-2. Four of their final six conference games are at home, a place where they have defeated 29 straight MEAC foes. Their remaining home games are Howard, Hampton, Coppin State and Morgan State.
"This is a great win for us," said Bibbs. "It was crucial to get this one because those remaining home games are pretty tough. We lost to all but one. But we're glad to be going home. Hopefully, we'll get some of our injured ladies back, and be ready for the rest of the season."
The Aggies play Howard Saturday afternoon at 2 from Corbett Sports Center. UMES (8-15, 5-5) was led by Casey Morton's 19.
