The North Carolina A&T men's basketball team discussed a lot of things at halftime of their Thursday night contest against Grambling State. Players were challenged. Their effort was harshly critiqued and they were told they lacked focus.
The Aggies shot 48 percent in the second half and had a plus-7 rebounding edge over the final 20 minutes to come away with a 61-47 win. It was the Aggies (5-8) fifth straight win at home, the longest home winning streak of the four-year Cy Alexander era. Alexander has portioned off the part of the Aggies schedule where they play five non-conference games before entering January MEAC play. The Aggies are 1-1 in that slice of games, having lost to East Carolina on Sunday. The remaining games are at Toledo (Dec. 21), at home against Kent State (Dec. 30) and at USC Upstate (Jan. 5).
“We played well for about 30 minutes against East Carolina. Tonight we played well for a half,” said Alexander. “We didn't play very well in the first half. I thought our young men accepted the challenge to play better in the second half. We're now 1-1 in this five-game non-conference schedule we're in.”
The game was tied at 21 at the half before the Aggies outscored Grambling 40-26 in the second half.
Turning Point
A Nigel Riberio layup pulled the Grambling State Tigers (2-8) to within five at 43-38. Senior Ahmad Abdullah, who had four of his five assists in the second half, found a wide open Joshea Singleton in the corner for a wide open 3-pointer to give the Aggies a 46-38 lead.
Riberio hit one of two free throws, leaving the door open for the Aggies to take a double-digit lead as once again Abdullah found an open shooter, this time Sam Hunt, as the Aggies took a 49-39 lead on Hunt's 3-pointer with 4:50 remaining. Singleton completed the Aggies 8-1 with a jump shot that put the Aggies ahead 12.
Player of the Game
After going 2-for-10 at ECU on Sunday, Hunt rebounded with a 25-point night that included four 3-pointers and 7-for-14 shooting from the field. Hunt is averaging an impressive 18.8 points per game in the Aggies six home games this season. Eighteen of Hunt's 23 3-pointers this season have come at home. Hunt had 16 of his 25 in the second half.
Key Stats
Bruce Beckford did not put up his normal point totals but he did grab 11 rebounds. It was his third double-figure rebounding game of the season and the 15th of his career.
Ahmad Abdullah didn't score much either but all five of his assists came in the second half during the Aggies second-half surge.
The Aggies outrebounded the Tigers 39-29. The Aggies are 5-1 when they outrebound their opponents this season.
The Aggies invited their first SWAC opponent to Corbett Sports Center for the first time since the 1988-89 season when the Aggies beat Alabama State 73-62. Grambling State comes to Corbett for the first time since 1981 when they lost to A&T 65-61.
Next Game
The Aggies travel to Ohio to play Toledo Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
