HU Captures Sixth Straight Home Win against NC A&T
Written by Julee O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism
Washington, D.C---January 14--- The Howard Women's Basketball team (12-6 overall, 4-1 MEAC), captured its sixth straight home victory against the North Carolina A&T Aggies, 65-57 in Burr Gymnasium.
The Aggies were without the services of Amber Calvin and Mikala Scott, who average a combined total of 22 points. The lack of the experience proved to be a hindrance for the young A&T squad.
Tamoria Holmes paced the Bison with a game-high 21 points in 34 minutes of action. Saadia Doyle tallied 18 points and seven rebounds, while Zykia Brown added 10 points, four assists and four rebounds. Just one point shy of a double-double, Cheyenne Curley-Payne dished out 10 assists, nine points and six steals.
In the first period, Howard quickly threw the first punch after a steal and a bucket by Curley-Payne in just 40 seconds. The Aggies came back down to score a lay-up by Nikia Gorham. Curley-Payne answered with a three-point basket, breaking the tie and taking a 5-2 lead by the 17:53 mark. However, A&T continued to fight and responded with a made basket inside the paint. From there, both teams battled to try and gain a lead. After knotting the score 9-9, Holmes dropped two-points on the scoreboard to give HU its second advantage of the first half.
The Aggies stayed on the Bison's heals, however HU held its composure and went into halftime with a slim 33-32 edge.
At the start of the second period, the Aggies instantly tied the game by a point from the charity stripe. Holmes then came down in transition and hit a bucket to give HU a 35-33 lead. Howard went on a 9-6 run for a 44-39 spread at the 12:57 mark. The Bison picked up their intensity by spreading the lead to nine halfway through the period. By the 5:24 mark, A&T reduced the margin to four points, 52-48.
With 21 seconds remaining in the ball game, the Aggies trailed HU by four points, 61-57. The mature Bison held their ground and captured their fourth MEAC win.
A&T was led by JaQuayla Berry with 13 points and a team-high seven boards. Tiffanie Adair contributed 12 points and six rebounds, while Tracy King chipped in 10 points and six boards.
HU will look to advance their winning streak to three by facing N.C. Central on Monday, Jan 16 in…the Burr.
