Maryland Eastern Shore (3-12, 0-0 MEAC) at N.C. A&T (1-14, 0-2 MEAC)
Date: January 9, 2017       
Time: 4 p.m.
Facility: Corbett Sports Center  
Series: A&T leads 58-25
Radio: ESPN Triad Radio, 1320AM/93.7 FM WCOG; Spencer Turkin (play-by-play) and Cy Alexander (analyst)

PROBABLE STARTERS: G Amari Hamilton (6-1, 165, R-So., 3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.9 apg); G Sam Hunt (6-2, 175, R-Jr., 13.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg); G Raymon Pratt (6-3, 197, Fr., 5.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.6 apg); F Davaris McGowens (6-7, 230, Jr., 9.5, 7.8 rpg, 0.9 apg); C Aaron Scales (6-9, 233, Gr., 5.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.3 apg).  

Aggies Overview:  North Carolina A&T had their second straight close call at home after losing to Delaware State 55-53 Saturday evening. The Aggies have now lost their last two home games by a total of three points after losing to Rider 60-59 on Dec. 18. On both occasions, the Aggies were defeated on last-second shots after losing leads late in the game. In fact, the Aggies have lost six of their last seven games by single figures. The Aggies have seen some positive signs of late from emerging players. Redshirt sophomore point guard Amari Hamilton has gone from a walk-on to starter for the Aggies over the last three games and has hit six 3-pointers in his last two games. Junior forward Donte Watson came back after a 10-game layoff and posted 18 points and seven rebounds on 6-for-9 shooting against Delaware State. The Aggies are hoping to have those players come together with other proven scorers such as Sam Hunt, Davaris McGowens and Eliel Gonzalez to put together a complete offensive game.

MDES Overview:  Maryland Eastern Shore will be playing in their first conference game after having their Saturday contest with North Carolina Central postponed until Wednesday. The Hawks have won two of three including an upset win at Texas El-Paso on Dec. 21. MDES has two main scorers to lead their cause in 6-foot-6 senior forward Bakari Copeland and 6-2 junior guard Ryan Andino, a former MEAC Rookie of the Year. Copeland leads the team in scoring and rebounding at 15.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He has scored 20 or more points twice this season including 27 points against Texas El-Paso. Andino has scored 20 or more points four times including 23 points at Virginia Tech on Dec. 7. The Hawks are the second-best free throw shooting team in the conference, but opponents are shooting 48 percent against MDES.

 Stepping Up: Junior Donte Watson returned after 10 games to score 18 points and grab seven rebounds. He gave the Aggies another perimeter scorer by knocking down four 3-pointers. He also scored in double figures against Grambling with 12 points on Nov. 17.

News & Notes:

•  N.C. A&T junior guard Sam Hunt has made 22 straight free throws. Redshirt junior James Whitaker has made 11 straight free throws and the Aggies are shooting 77.8 percent from the line over their last eight games.
• N.C. A&T has had success against MDES at Corbett Sports Center. They are 30-9 at home against the Hawks and have won six of seven against the Hawks at Corbett.
• Junior guard Amari Hamilton had to play 16 games in order to earn 97 minutes of playing time. But in the last three games, all Hamilton starts, Hamilton has played a combined 97 minutes.
• N.C. A&T junior Davaris McGowens is one of the top rebounders in the conference. He is second in rebounding (7.8) and third in offensive rebounding (2.9). He has the only three double-doubles the Aggies have produced this season.