ASU vs NCA&T

[dj98]

He might be the answer!! This was his first game of the season.

Nicholas Wilson 3-5 2-3 0-0 2 8

[krazykev]

TEMPE, Ariz., December 21, 2006 – Against teams from some of the major men’s basketball conferences in the country, North Carolina A&T head coach Jerry Eaves would watch his teams lose by 30, 40-point margins as he tried to rebuild his Aggies program.

Now, the Aggies are competing against those teams. The next step is to beat those teams. For the second straight game, the Aggies had a team from a major conference on the ropes, but couldn’t seal the deal. Thanks to a pair of missed layups and crucial offensive rebound and put back by Arizona State, the Sun Devils held on to beat the Aggies 71-66 in the first game of the Arizona Holiday Tournament.

Jason Wills led the Aggies with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Austin Ewing added 12. Nick Wilson, in his first game as an Aggie, had eight points and some key shots off the bench.

“We have come a long way,’’ said Eaves. “We have for the first time since I’ve been here, the same team going into January that we had to start the season. No one dropped off. But we have to finish games. We have to rebound.”

The Sun Devils out-rebounded the Aggies 50-32, but the Aggies stayed close because they were able to force the Sun Devils into 20 turnovers. After being down by three at the half, the Sun Devils took at 10-point lead with 9:06 to play. Two Ewing free throws pulled the Aggies to within eight, 55-47. The Aggies were able to force Sylvester Seay into a turnover three seconds later.

Glenn Nelson picked up the loose ball and scored on a layup and was fouled on the play. Nelson’s free throw cut the Sun Devils lead to 55-50 with 8:05 to play.

“I thought the Aggies pressure was a good as we’ve seen all year,’’ said Sun Devils coach Herb Sendek. “I thought we kept our poise despite some of the turnovers and Derek was able to hit some big shots once we beat it.

“They have great 3-point shooters who we’ve seen hit some amazing shots on film,’’ added Sendek. “But give North Carolina A&T credit, they continued to fight us hard.”

Derek Glasser, who scored 16 points on five 3-pointers and was a thorn in the Aggies side all night, hit a three from the corner to push the lead back to eight.

But the Aggies, who hit 21 free throws on the night, were able to get to the line and slowly knock down the Sun Devils lead. Two Steven Rush free throws put the Aggies down 62-60 with 4:40 to play. An Antwi Atuahene tip-in and another Glasser three in between a Wills layup gave the Sun Devils more of a cushion at 67-62.

More free throws kept the Aggies close, however. Greg Roberts made one of two free throws with 2:03 to play to put the Aggies down two again at 67-65. More aggressive play on the boards helped the Sun Devils push lead to four as Atuahene earned his eighth offensive rebound of the night and put it back in for a 69-65 lead.

Trahern Chaplin cut the lead to three with a free throw. The Aggies had two great opportunities to move closer, but Wills and Chaplin missed layups down the stretch and the Sun Devils hit just enough free throws to seal the win.

Antuahene led the Sun Devils with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Sun Devils had three players with double-figure rebounds. The Aggies fall to 3-7 on the season and will play Friday against the winner of Davidson and Ohio.

[AggieGroove]

Despite not getting Booker and Guions back, this team continues to fight and hold its own. This is one A&T team that continues to compete end eventually these games will be won. To go on the road and compete like they do in non-conference play against major colleges should help tremendously during conference play. Hang in there, our time is coming!

PS: If it is true that Booker and Guions never attended class, then both have lost sight of the mission-Student Athlete.

[truthseeker]

Good job coaches, teams that have never had to respect us before are having to respect us now---- I'll be at every game giving my support because you guys deserve it!!! As far as Booker & Guions, it's beyond basketball at this point---- these kids need serious counseling on why they are throwing away opportunities that could open doors for an easier life. The powers that be should not give up on these kids but playing basketball is not in the equation at this point ----- it's about the game of life now!!

[da heretic]

Co sign with Truthseeker.

Good job by the players who want to play; and Eaves too.