HOUSTON, TEXAS – Freshman Rachel Griffin missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team lost a 61-60 heartbreaker to the Rice Owls Thursday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Senior guard Jordyn Dorsey had her second straight 20-plus point performance by scoring a career-high 26 points, drawing nine fouls throughout the game, and shooting 11-for-12 from the free throw line. University of Delaware transfer Darrionna Howard was the only other Aggie in double figures. She came off the bench to post 11 points and 11 rebounds as the Aggies dropped to 0-2 on the season. It marked her second career double-double after she recorded one last season with Delaware.
A&T started to build a good lead midway through the third quarter. A Paris Locke jump shot gave the Aggies a 41-38 lead before Howard took a pass from Reiven Douglas and netted a jump shot in the paint to put the Aggies ahead by five. After a Rice free throw, Howard hit four straight free throws to end the third quarter as the Aggies went into the fourth leading 47-39.
Rice opened the fourth by outscoring A&T 8-1 to cut A&T's lead to 48-47 with 7:54 remaining in the game. But the Aggies rebuilt their advantage as Locke scored in the paint to give A&T a three-point lead. Howard followed by scoring again and was fouled to give the Aggies a 52-47 lead with 6:14 remaining.
Howard missed the free throw, which led to Rice completing a 3-point play at its end as Sussy Ngulefac scored and added a free throw to cut A&T's lead to 52-50. After a free from A&T junior center Delaney Yarborough, the Owls scored five straight points to take a 55-53 lead with 3 ½ minutes remaining.
A&T responded as Locke found an open Dorsey, who connected on a three to give the Aggies a one-point advantage at 56-55. A 4-0 Rice run gave the Owls a 59-56 lead with 1:54 remaining before Elon transfer Ajia James knocked down a jump shot to get the Aggies to within one. Two Dorsey free throws put the Aggies in the lead, 60-59, with 67 seconds remaining on the clock.
Ngulefac tried to give the Owls the lead back but missed her layup. Ngulefac followed the miss and scored. She was fouled on the play but missed the free throw. However, the basket gave Rice a 61-60 lead with 48 seconds remaining. An A&T turnover on its next possession gave the Owls possession.
But Douglas blocked a 3-point attempt from Victoria Flores, which led to a shot clock violation, giving the Aggies the ball back with four seconds remaining, leading to Griffin's opportunity to win the game.
The Owls improved to 1-1 as Ngulefac led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The Aggies played without star guard Maleia Bracone and standout center Chaniya Clark. Locke had an outstanding overall game with eight points, seven rebounds and five assists.
A&T will return to Greensboro to play its home opener against the 15th-ranked UNC Tar Heels on Tuesday, November 12, at 7 p.m. from Corbett Sports Center.
