GREENSBORO (February 27, 2017) – A game between the two teams who shared the 2015-16 MEAC women's basketball regular-season title came down to the wire before Bethune-Cookman survived the battle with a 65-60 win over North Carolina A&T at Corbett Sports Center, Monday night.
Graduate guard Aliyah Kilpatrick scored in double figures in her fourth straight game, finishing with 15 points while also putting away two assists, two blocks and two steals. Fifth-year guard Dana Brown led the Aggies with 17 points including shooting 3-for-8 from beyond the arc along with a team-leading three assists. Freshman center Alexus Lessears continued her strong performance on the boards by grabbing 12 rebounds.
Both teams remained aggressive and competitive throughout the contest. The Wildcats shot well throughout the night (44.9 percent). N.C. A&T didn't shoot well (25 percent) but kept the game close at the free throw line by hitting 22 of 25 from the line.
The Wildcats (18-9, 14-1 MEAC) finally got a little breathing room in a tight game in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats held their largest lead of the game, seven points at 53-46, with 6:28 remaining in the game. That lead didn't last long. Behind the 3-point shooting of Kala Green and Brown, the Aggies tied the game at 55 with 3:49 to play. The Wildcats scored the next four points, before N.C. A&T pulled within one point, 59-58, on a 3-point play from Lessears with 2:05 left on the clock.
Chasimmie Brown put the Wildcats ahead by three with a tough layup. Kendra Cooper then secured the win for the Wildcats by hitting four consecutive free throws to close the game.
It was a slow start for both teams as they combined for six field goals and 17 points in the first quarter with B-CU holding a 9-8 lead. Aggies most solid performance came in the second quarter as the team shot 35 percent from the floor to score 19 points. The Wildcats moved to a four-point lead after a 3-pointer from Emily Williams put them ahead 24-20. The Aggies would not let Bethune-Cookman move too far ahead as Whitney Martin put away a jumper and Kilpatrick had another 3-point play to tie the game at 25.
Each team hit two free throws to close the first half tied at 27.
The Aggies (12-16, 8-7 MEAC) were able to take a 39-33 lead with 4:23 remaining in the third quarter. B-CU went on a 9-1 run to take a 42-41 lead with 1:43 remaining. After Brown hit two free throws to regain the lead for the Aggies, a Taylor Houston 3-pointer and a steal and layup by Armani Walker helped the Wildcats go into the final quarter ahead 47-43.
Brown came off the bench to record 11 points and six rebounds. Ashanti Hunt led the Wildcats with 13 points. The Aggies will wrap up the regular season against rival North Carolina Central on Thursday in a 5:30 p.m., showdown in Corbett Sports Center. N.C. A&T defeated the Eagles 62-38 in Durham on Jan. 28.
