http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/03/10/article/reserves_send_aggies_to_next_roundReserves send Aggies to next roundWednesday, March 10, 2010
(Updated 5:41 am)
By KEITH TOLBERT
Special to the News & Record
GREENSBORO -- Before the MEAC tournament began, N.C. A&T coach Jerry Eaves said there was no team in the conference that frightened him, but questioned whether his team could play a complete game that is required to advance in the tournament.
The Aggies proved they could do just that for at least one game as they used a 9-0 run in the second half to surge ahead and claim a 65-55 first round win over Howard. The reward for winning their first game in the tournament is a date with No. 1 seed Morgan State tonight at 7 p.m.
Nic Simpson had 21 points off the bench and James Porter, also coming off the bench, dropped in 12 points to help the Aggies to their first MEAC tournament win since 2007.
"It was the best team effort we've had in a long time," Eaves said. "We attacked the basket and got to the free throw line. That was the key to the game. We really stayed mentally tough. We had to contest the 3-pointers because they are a very good shooting team and we kept the pressure up."
With the score tied at 39-39 in the second half, Simpson scored five straight points to help the Aggies pull away to a 48-39 lead. They would not relinquish the lead again.
"We (the seniors) know that whatever game we lose next, is our last game," Porter said. "Every team in the MEAC is beatable. We just want to win games."
One big change for the Aggies: They won the turnover battle, committing only six while forcing 15 by the Bison. In addition, A&T stayed with the physical Bison on the glass, with both teams finishing with 39 rebounds. Thomas Coleman collected 14 of those boards for the Aggies.
Eaves knows that facing the regular-season champs in the next round won't be easy and will take an even better effort than his team gave on Tuesday night.
"You have to go through the best to win, but if you do you get a day off," Eaves said. "They are so consistent. They've beaten us twice this year, but we've had our opportunities. We've got to play our A-plus game."
The Aggies found themselves in an early 9-0 hole when they didn't score for almost five minutes to start the game. Tavarus Alston broke the ice for A&T, but the Aggies were struggling to find an offensive rhythm until Eaves started bringing players off the bench.
First Simpson provided a spark with a quick 3-pointer, then senior center Porter made an instant impact on both ends of the court. Before he entered the game, the Bison were having their way in the paint and had built a 21-12 lead.
"I just wanted to bring some energy and value the basketball," Simpson said. "I just wanted to get everyone involved."
After Porter came in, the Bison resorted to long-range jumpers and that worked for a while. Both Calvin Thompson and Curtis White hit from beyond the arc to help the Bison build a 24-14 lead.
But Eaves also brought in some quickness at guard with Marc Hill and Simpson helping to shut down the Howard perimeter game. The final 3 minutes belonged to Porter, Simpson and Hill. The trio combined for the Aggies' final eight points.
Porter did most of the damage around the basket and at the free throw line and helped A&T pull ahead 31-30.
Simpson had 10 points at the break and Porter chipped in eight points.
N.C. A&T 31 34 -- 65
Howard 30 25 -- 55
A--3,101.
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