A&T STATISTICAL LEADERS: G Shareka McNeill (25 pts., 10-for-16 FGs, 5-for-8 3-point FGs), C Jazmin Harris (14 pts., 6 rebs., 3 assists), G D'Mya Tucker (14 pts., 6-for-10 FGs), G Chanin Scott (12 rebs., 7 steals, 5 pts.)

EAST CAROLINA STATISTICAL LEADERS: Taniyah Thompson (22 pts., 5 rebs.), Danae McNeal (9 pts.), Tiara Chambers (8 pts., 7 rebs.) Alexsia Rose (7 assists).

WHY DID A&T GET THE W: Shareka McNeilll's (Charlotte, N.C.) best scoring output as an Aggie was ignited with 8:49 remaining in the second quarter, with ECU holding a 17-11. That's when McNeill connected on a 3-pointer to spark a 25-9 Aggies run. McNeill scored 12 of her game-high 25 points in the second quarter on 4-for-4 shooting from 3-point range, leading the Aggies to a 36-28 halftime lead. The Aggies never relinquished the lead again.    

WHY DID ECU NOT GET THE W: ECU started the third quarter outscoring the Aggies 12-6, shooting 5-for-11 from the floor. But the Aggies scored the next nine points to push the lead to 51-40 with 1:36 remaining in the third quarter. The Pirates got the lead under double figures only once more the rest of the way.

CRUCIAL: McNeill hit two 3-pointers with the shot clock expiring on Thursday night. In the second quarter, McNeill grabbed an offensive rebounder off an airball 3-pointer, ran out to set up a play before realizing the shot clock ticking down to zero. Therefore, she pulled up from the Aggie logo and netted a three to tie the game at 19. In the fourth period, Chanin Scott (Charlotte, N.C.) drove and spotted an open McNeill who connected on a 3-pointer from the wing as the shot clock expired to give the Aggies a 58-44 advantage.  

EAST GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T came into their three-game homestand winless. However, they are walking away from it with three straight wins as they earned a 75-59 win over the East Carolina University Pirates at Corbett Sports Center Thursday night. 

The Aggies improved to 3-6 after starting the season 0-6. ECU dropped to 5-6 on the season. 

"Things are playing out exactly the way we hoped," said A&T coach Tarrell Robinson. "We had a lot of adversity in the beginning, losing our first six games and losing to the No. 1 team in the country and learning from it. But then we were able to come home and defend our home court."

Robinson's Aggies looked impressive against an ECU team that dominated three Big South Conference opponents this season. The Pirates were also coming off a win over N.C. Central University, in which they led 27-0 after the first quarter. 

The Aggies needed a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat NCCU on Saturday. They needed those types of theatrics on Thursday. The Aggies did see their eight-point halftime advantage dwindle to two points at 42-40, with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter. 

The Aggies responded with a 13-2 run, and the Pirates never recovered. Jordyn Dorsey (Augusta, Ga.) started the run by taking a pass from Jasmen Walton (Baltimore, Md.) and netting a 3-pointer. Walton then found post player Jazmin Harris (McLeansville, N.C.) in the paint for an easy score. A McNeill steal and bucket increased A&T's lead to nine before Dorsey found Kiana Adderton (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) in the paint for another easy score and a 51-40 lead. 

Danae McNeal did answer for ECU with a layup, but a D'Mya Tucker (Orangeburg, S.C.) and a Chanin Scott (Charlotte, N.C.) steal and score pushed the Aggies lead to 13, 55-42. They went into the fourth quarter with a 55-44 lead. McNeill then went on a personal 7-0 to clinch the win. The run included a 3-pointer. McNeill capped the spurt with a jumper. During the fourth period, ECU was 6-for-24 from the floor, including 1-for-12 from 3-point range. 

The Aggies entered Thursday's game shooting 21.5 percent from the 3-point arc but shot 7-for-13 from beyond the arc against the Pirates. 

Like their NCCU game, the Pirates got off to a good start. They led the Aggies 7-0 before the Aggies closed the gap to three, 14-11, by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Aggies shot 56.3 percent (9-for-16) behind McNeill's big outburst to take a 36-28 lead at the half. 

"I'm super proud of my team for the way we survived runs and adversity," said Robinson. "Now we're starting to reap the benefits of all our hard work and dedication."

QUOTABLE: "It's important we defended our home court because that's what we need to get to the next game. We've got to go to Cincinnati. We've got to keep the winning streak going."

Guard Shareka McNeill on the Aggies successful homestand

GAME NOTES

• The Aggies won their 11th straight home game and will defend it next in their Big South Conference inaugural game against Longwood on Dec. 29. 
• The Aggies had four players score in double figures for the second time this season. 
• A&T shot better than 45 percent for the second time this season. 
• The Aggies came into their three-game homestand with 14 made 3-pointers over their first six games. They hit 16 threes over three games inside Corbett. 
• N.C. A&T is 156-36 when shooting in the 40 percent range under head coach Tarrell Robinson. They shot 46.6 percent on Thursday against ECU.   
• Shareka McNeill's 25 points, 10 field goals, and five made 3-pointers are a career-high at A&T.
• Chanin Scott recorded an A&T career-high seven steals and tied a career-high with 12 rebounds.