GREENSBORO -- North Carolina A&T women's basketball team did some of its best work late in Friday night's game against Drexel. It was right on time at Corbett Sports Center. The Aggies used an efficient fourth quarter to pull out a 64-57 victory and stay undefeated in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play.
"I think our energy coming out at halftime and turning it up and keeping that same energy was key," A&T forward Ajia James said.
A&T's 23 fourth-quarter points nearly matched the team's entire first-half output.
"They say defense is early and offense comes late," Aggies head coach Tarrell Robinson said. "This was late, late. We needed the offense to start clicking."
That happened right on cue.
James, who hit clutch fourth-quarter shots, and Jordyn Dorsey scored 14 points. Paris Locke ended up with 12 points, and Chaniya Clark provided 11 points and 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and the 14th of her career, helping the Aggies win their seventh straight to improve to 9-7 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
The Aggies needed well-rounded contributions because Amaris Baker poured in 33 points for Drexel. The Dragons dropped to 6-8 overall and 2-2 in league play despite leading for more than 30 minutes.
But A&T was undeterred and had the right combination of plays when it mattered most. The Aggies finally pulled even at 31-31 on the first of James' four 3-pointers. They went ahead for the first time at 37-36 on Dorsey's move along the left side late in the third quarter.
It turns out they were just getting warmed up. James drilled consecutive 3-pointers from about the same spot on the right wing as the Aggies went up 47-45 early in the fourth quarter.
"Ajia James, late when we needed her, knocked down shots and opened up the game," Robinson said.
She had one more long-range connection to deliver. This one came from the right side in front of the Aggies' bench, banking in and giving A&T the lead for keeps with slightly more than five minutes to play.
"I thought it was off, but it went in," James said. "It's a shooter's touch."
Robinson added some contest to the play. "I was just about to sub her out because (Chloe Hodges) just scored on her. I said, 'No, we need her offense.' "
Turns out it was a spot-on decision. "That was good coaching," Robinson joked later.
Then others joined the act. Dorsey's two free throws, Locke's steal, and Clark's putback contributed to A&T's 56-51 edge. And there were still defensive moments that mattered. A&T's tight defense forced Drexel to use its last timeout on an inbounds set-up in the final minute.
James is a first-year Aggie after transferring from nearby Elon. She has found a niche.
"It took a lot of patience," James said. "Just learning everything from when I got here in the summer and understanding what my coaches and my teammates need from me."
She had 12 of her points in the second half against Drexel.
"She responds and she responds big," Robinson said.
It took the Aggies nearly five minutes to score their first points, but they trailed only 12-8 at the end of the first quarter. They faced a 29-24 halftime deficit.
"We were able to get life in the second half," Robinson said.
Clark has cranked out double-doubles in three of the five conference games.
"She brings a lot of attention, and we play off that," Robinson said.
The best part about the arrival of Friday night's offense was that there were various sources. Four A&T players were in double figures and four others scored.
"It can be anybody's night," Robinson said. "We want to keep it like that. That way, the conference can't really prepare for us."
The Aggies are home again at 2 p.m. Sunday against defending regular-season champion Stony Brook (8-8, 3-2), which lost by 60-48 at Elon on Friday night.
