EAST GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T women's basketball team is not the same North Carolina A&T women's basketball team that entered conference play. 

The Aggies had to play another game without Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) preseason player of the year C'coriea Foy on Saturday, and it was telling that adjustments are still being made. 

The defending MEAC champion Wildcats came into Corbett Sports Center and got out to an early lead before holding on to defeat the Aggies 69-58. It was the Aggies (12-6, 4-2 MEAC) second straight conference loss, something that has not happened since Feb. 27 and March 2 of 2017. The Wildcats improved to 13-5 overall and 5-1 in the MEAC to move into sole possession of second place behind Norfolk State. 

"We're missing a key part of who we are right now," said N.C. A&T coach Tarrell Robinson. "Hats off to Bethune-Cookman, they came in here and did what they had to do and took us out of some the things we wanted to do it. But our young ladies are going to understand their going to be new roles and new responsibilities going forward and play accordingly."

Senior guard Cinia McCray and junior Deja Winters had 13 points apiece. Senior center Alexus Lessears finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. 

Fresh off a game in which they shot 27.8 percent at Morgan State, N.C. A&T had its struggles from the field early on Saturday as well. The Aggies were just 4-for-14 from the floor (28.6 percent) in the first quarter and the Wildcats took advantage. They shot 53.3 percent in the first quarter and grabbed a 22-8 lead. 

Their lead jumped to 16, 28-12, on an Amaya Scott jump shot in the paint with 7:13 remaining in the first half. The Wildcats led by as 17 in the first half as Camary Harris knocked a 3-pointer with 4:33 remaining in the half to give the Wildcats a 33-16. 

N.C. A&T, who had won 12 straight home games against MEAC competition, did not make it easy for B-CU. N.C. A&T began chipping away at B-CU's advantage starting with a 3-pointer from McCray. Sophomore center Kenra Ross then scored inside before Mikaya Wilson capped off the Aggies 6-0 run to end the half by hitting a free throw as the Aggies went into the half trailing 33-22.

Robinson then played both of his 6-foot-3 centers at the same time in Lessears and Jayla Jones-Pack. It forced the Wildcats to honor both post players which opened things up on the perimeter for N.C. A&T. 

After a 3-pointer from Ashlie Howell gave the Wildcats a 36-24 lead, the Aggies put together an 11-1 run that ended with Lessears scoring inside to make it a 37-35 game with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter. Scott pushed the lead to four for the Wildcats with a jump shot. Winters responded with an open three from the corner to cut the lead to one. 

Wilson gave the Aggies the lead at 40-39 by putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket for a layup with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter. Scott gave the Wildcats the lead back six seconds later and they never trailed again. After McCray tied the game at 42 with a layup, the Wildcats went on an 8-0 run to reclaim control of the game. The third quarter ended with the Wildcats holding a 53-46 lead. 

B-CU built their lead to 10 in the 10 in the fourth quarter before the Aggies fought back again. McCray's free throw cut the Wildcats lead to 58-53, but a big three from the corner by Daniella Hatcher put the Wildcats ahead by eight with 5:53 to play. 

The Aggies never got any closer than eight the rest of the way. Scott led the Wildcats with 23 points. The Aggies return to action 5:30 p.m., Monday at Corbett Sports Center against Delaware State. 

"It's going to take hard work and discipline to get us back on track," said Robinson. "I believe in these young ladies has what it takes to get that done."