GREENSBORO – Any victories feel good, but North Carolina A&T's women's basketball team picked a couple of ideal games to win in November. The Aggies did so impressively, defeating North Carolina Central University (NCCU) 62-39 on Monday night at Corbett Sports Center.

"Two rivalry wins in one week," coach Tarrell Robinson said. "Aggie Pride."

Following last week's conquering of Winston-Salem State, the Aggies have built some momentum after losing their first four games.

"It's something I think these young people really enjoy," Robinson said of the matchups with longtime rivals. "The atmosphere was great, and everybody came to see."

Jordyn Dorsey's 17 points and Paris Locke's 12 were tops for the Aggies, who improved to 2-4. Darrionna Howard pulled in 10 rebounds, and Maleia Bracone's return to action after an injury sidelined her for five games provided a spark.

By the fourth quarter, the Aggies were running – successfully – what amounted to a layup drill for baskets in transition.

"Just the feeling that we're all on the same page," Dorsey said. "Extend the lead, but doing it the right way as a team."

The Eagles shot 25.5 percent from the field, dropping to 0-8 on the season. They scored 18 points in the first quarter and only 21 the rest of the way. NCCU didn't have a third-quarter field goal until 18 seconds remained in the period. A&T players blocked seven shots in the game.

"We were locking down defensively," Robinson said. "Still trying to get better and build that chemistry offensively … Proud of our resilience, trying to get better every game."

Bracone had a big sequence in the third quarter, taking a charge on defense that negated an NCCU basket and then hitting a 3-pointer on the next possession. Rachel Griffin scored on A&T's next trip on offense, pushing the margin to 47-28. Bracone gives the Aggies another experienced guard. She led A&T with four steals.

"That's what she does," Robinson said. "Maleia causes havoc."

Seeing the contributions from Bracone was comforting for the Aggies.

"Being with somebody I've played with the past three years, I feel like that makes a difference," Dorsey said. "Somebody who has been in the program."

The Aggies were up 32-27 at halftime after Elliott Jessup's putback at the horn. A&T didn't hold the lead until Griffin's basket from the lane with about 3½ minutes left in the second quarter for a 26-24 advantage. Earlier, it took nearly five minutes for A&T to hit its first field goal. Then, facing a 13-4 deficit, the Aggies took a timeout.

"It took us a while to get going," Robinson said. "As a coaching staff, we have to figure out what we need to do in practice to fix that."

Dorsey had the top point total despite 0-for-6 shooting on 3-pointers as part of the team's 3-for-17 mark on threes.

"Why can't we shoot better in our gym?" Robinson said. "That's going to come. I don't really worry about that."

The Aggies are off for nearly two weeks before a Dec. 7 game at Liberty. They're home again on Dec. 15 vs. Norfolk State.