GREENSBORO (November 22, 2016) – North Carolina A&T showed signs of a team starting to come together after trying to incorporate numerous new players with numerous returning players.
N.C. A&T got off to another good start before a late run helped Western Kentucky defeat the Aggies 77-56 Tuesday night at E.A. Diddle Arena in men's basketball action. The Aggies dropped to 1-3 on the season despite a season-best 19 points from junior Sam Hunt. Junior James Whitaker added 11 points off the bench.
For the second straight game, the Aggies shot the ball well in the first half. They were, however, not able to sustain the hot hand in the second half. Also for the second straight game the Aggies had to watch their opponents shooting 20-plus free throws in the second half. Grambling shot 21 free throws in their 59-55 win over the Aggies.
The Hilltoppers (3-1) shot 20 free throws in the second half Tuesday, making 16. The Aggies meanwhile were just 5-for-10 from the line in the second half. Despite the Hilltoppers advantage at the foul line, a Hunt jumper put the Aggies only down eight, 58-50 with 7:47 remaining in the game. After Hunt's score, WKU ran off nine straight points with seven of those points coming at the free throw line to take a 67-50 lead with 4:18 to play.
N.C. A&T went 0-for-5 from the floor during the run and did not stop the run until a short Whitaker jumper pulled the Aggies to within 15. The Aggies not got any closer the rest of the way. The Hilltoppers were 31-for-37 (.838) from the free throw line. The Aggies shot 11-for-18 from the line.
Que Johnson led four Hilltoppers in double figures with 18 points. Justin Johnson finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Aggies never led in the game, but did tie the game twice. The final tie came on a Hunt jump shot that tied the game at 26 with five minutes remaining in the first half. The Hilltoppers stretched the lead out to five, 33-28, on a Pancake Thomas jumper. Two Eliel Gonzalez free throws put the Aggies down three at 37-34 with a minutes remaining in the half but a Johnson 3-pointer and jumper gave the Hilltoppers a 42-34 halftime lead.
After three straight games on the road, the Aggies final return home as they face Jacksonville 2 p.m., Saturday, November 26 at Corbett Sports Center.
