Freshman center Thomas Coleman hit two free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining to lead the North Carolina A&T men’s basketball team to a thrilling 80-78 double overtime win over Florida A&M Saturday afternoon from Gaither Gymnasium.
The Aggies overcame a 16-point first half deficit and a 14-point halftime deficit that saw Florida A&M’s Leslie Robinson hit six first-half 3-pointers. The Aggies improved to 12-10 on the season and 6-3 in the MEAC as they find themselves in a third-place tie with Delaware State.
“The big fellow hit two big shots for us,’’ said Eaves. “We had guys all over the place stepping up big for us tonight. We gutted this win out. We could have easily rolled over but we didn’t.”
The Aggies came into the game knowing they were not going to get any offense from Ewing who was out with the flu. Rush did score 21 points on 8-for-16 shooting, but players like Ed Jones, Glenn Nelson and Coleman also made crucial plays.
Glenn, who has been battling for playing time as the Aggies No. 2 point guard all season, got his first start of the season in place of Ewing. He filled in superbly. With 6.4 seconds remaining in regulation and the Aggies trailing 66-63, Glenn took a pass from Jason Wills. He pulled up from the top of the key and netted a three to tie the game.
Florida A&M’s Joe Ballard raced down the other end but missed a floater, sending the game into its first overtime.
“If Glenn doesn’t hit that shot we’re not in here smiling and joking right now,’’ said Eaves. “I’ve told him all year to be ready, just be ready when we call you. He’s a good shooter, he’s a valuable shooter and tonight he just hit a huge shot, I mean a huge shot.”
Glenn’s heroics would not be enough, however. The Aggies trailed 71-69 with 17 seconds remaining in the first overtime. That’s when Wills whipped a pass to Coleman who finished with a dunk to send the game into a second overtime.
Wills, who is closing in on being the first player in Aggies history to record 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 200 assists, found another open teammate in the second overtime to put some separation between the Aggies and the Rattlers. Wills put the ball on the floor and turned to find an open Jones for a 3-pointer that gave the Aggies a 78-75 lead with 1:51 remaining.
The Rattlers sliced the lead to one on two Akini Akini free throws with 1:29 to play. After an Aggies turnover, Ballard had a chance to give the Rattlers the lead, but hit only one of two free throws to tie the game at 78 with 13 seconds remaining.
The Aggies put the ball in the hands of Rush. He had his jumper roll in and out of the basket. But Coleman rolled to the basket for the offensive board only to have Florida A&M’s Leslie Robinson come over his back for a foul, setting up his two free throws.
“We’ve earned two tremendous road wins this season,’’ said Eaves referring to the Aggies exciting 63-61 win over Delaware State on January 21 when the Hornets bench was called for a technical foul in the final seconds for running on the court to celebrate a 3-pointer that just tied the game.
“We proved we can weather the storm. They hit some great shots in the first half. But I told our guys if we keep fighting we can make those shots tougher. It’s easier to hit them when you’re up 16 than it is to hit them when it’s a close game.”
Jones came off the bench to score 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting for the Aggies and Wills recorded his 12th career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Nelson finished with 12. The Rattlers were led by Robinson’s 25, and Ballard added 15 points and nine assists.