DURHAM (January 28, 2017) – North Carolina A&T had its opportunities to come away with its third straight win over heated men's basketball rival North Carolina Central, but missed layups and turnovers eventually came back to haunt the Aggies as the Eagles pulled away late to come away with an 82-59 win at McDougald-McLendon Arena Saturday evening.
“It was like a boxing match,” N.C. A&T coach Jay Joyner said about the Aggies 149th clash with the Eagles. “You can battle and battle, but if you keep getting hit and keep getting hit, eventually you'll get knocked out. We can't continue to let people take 12 threes and make eight. Those are body blows we can't keep taking.”
Joyner was referring to opposing guards' recent success against the Aggies (1-19, 0-7 MEAC) as NCCU's Patrick Cole scored 27 points on 8-for-12 shooting from 3-point range. He also had seven assists and six rebounds. Joyner wasn't void of big performances from his players. Junior Davaris McGowens recorded his fifth double-double of the season with career highs in points (22) and rebounds (12). Amari Hamilton also had another career night in redshirt sophomore season. He topped his career high for the third time this season, this time topping career highs in points (17), rebounds (5) and 3-pointers made (5) in what was a starting role after coming off the bench the Aggies previous three games.
Hamilton is a Durham native.
“Our guys deserve a win; they deserve a break. Tonight we went toe-to-toe with arguably the best team in the conference at their place,” said Joyner a season after sweeping the Eagles. “We've played hard and put ourselves in positions to win a few games this year. We just haven't figured out how to finish strong.”
Joyner was particularly frustrated with the Aggies start to the second half. The Eagles (14-6, 5-1 MEAC) led 39-29 at halftime, but it took them four minutes to score in the second half. In fact, the Eagles missed their first six shots. Once the Eagles came out of their slump, the Aggies were only able to shave one point off the halftime deficit at 41-32 as three turnovers and three missed layups prevented the Aggies from getting closer. McGowens and Hamilton did execute a superb fastbreak as Hamilton dropped off to McGowens for a transition layup to cut NCCU's lead to 41-34 with 15:36 to play.
Over the next five minutes the Eagles would lead by as many as 11, but when Hamilton netted a three in front of the Aggies bench, N.C. A&T found themselves within seven again at 52-45 with 10:30 to play. It was rough terrain from there for the Aggies.
Three-pointers from Ron Trapps and Patrick Cole pushed the Eagles lead to 59-47. Kyle Becton increased the lead to 14 as Cole found him on the break for a layup with 7:58 remaining. McGowens kept the Aggies within 14, 66-52, with two free throws. But Cole ended any chances of a rally as he knocked down another three to give the Eagles a 69-52 advantage with 4 ½ to play.
“I think our story all season has been we come out and give the effort to compete and then hit a drought,” said Joyner. “Tonight we not only had a drought on offense, but we didn't continue to fight in the second half on defense. We didn't get out there and contest their shooters. We didn't make them put (the ball) on the floor.”
N.C. A&T had their chances in the first half as well. Hamilton hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 23 at the 8:18 mark. Del'vin Dickerson responded for NCCU with a three of his own before McGowens hit a jump shot from the elbow to pull the Aggies to within one, 26-25. The Aggies had five chances to take the lead, but missed three layups in the process. It proved costly as the Eagles went on a 7-0 run to help construct their halftime lead. N.C. A&T will try to end their slide 8 p.m., Monday when they travel to Norfolk, Va., to face the Norfolk State Spartans at Echols Hall.
